Progressive mare Astoria Brooke claimed her first victory at black-type level when she burst through the middle of a crowded pack with 100m to run to score in the Listed Fairview Matamata Kaimai Stakes (1600m) at Matamata.
New Zealand’s current leading rider Michael McNab took a path where angels fear to tread as he come from last on the home bend to collar local favourite What You Wish For who looked to set for the win when he swooped to the front halfway down the home straight.
McNab had the Tony Pike-prepared daughter of American Pharoah travelling sweetly but desperately searching for racing room behind a wall of horses before threading her through the narrowest of gaps to set out after What You Wish For.
Astoria Brooke lengthened stride and thrust her head in front within the shadows of the post to complete a hat-trick of victories and the fourth in her last five starts.
Pike was thrilled with the win which he described as her best yet.
“She was impressive today although the strong tempo helped her,” Pike said.
“The way she took the tight gap in the home straight was good to see and I think it was her best win to date.
“She really has been holding her form well and apart from an unplaced run on an unsuitable heavy track she has been right amongst it in this campaign.
“She is a mare in form, so you do want to keep her going, but we won’t make any decisions on what is next until we get her home and see how she pulls up.
“She has got that vital black type on her record now and I don’t think it will be her last.”
Carrying the famous colours of Trelawney Stud for owners Brent and Cherry Taylor, Astoria Brooke has now won eight of her 21 starts to date and earned more than $220,000 in prizemoney.
She is the 69th stakes-winner for former Coolmore shuttler American Pharoah and is the best of three winners from stakes-winning Iffraaj (GB) mare Astor.
Today’s event was the first in the 2026/27 Prezzy Card Northern Country Cups Bonus Series which involves nine races where horses will earn points for finishing in the first four in races across the Series, which concludes with the Prezzy Card Taupo Cup (2000m) finale on 29 December where a $50,000 winner-takes-all bonus is up for grabs. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
