Success lives here

At Awapuni in New Zealand, Coolmore's former Gr1-winning Champion Australian Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) celebrated an elite race success when high-class 2YO Australian-bred filly Avantage (Fastnet Rock-Asavant, by Zabeel) showed a good turn of foot to score a dominant win in the $225,000 Gr1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) for 2YOs, defeating Melt & Sir Nate. From the stakes winning Zabeel mare Asavant, Avantage was a $210,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of The Oaks Stud. She improved her record to 5 wins (including the Listed Karaka Million 2YO) and 1 placing (the Gr1 Sistema Diamond Stakes) from 6 starts for NZ$742,370 in earnings. Co-trainer Jamie Richards said Avantage would now be sent for a break to prepare for the NZ 1000 Guineas in the spring. "He's got some value now, bring on the 1000 Guineas in the spring," Richards told NZ Racing Desk. "She's a lovely filly and a pleasure to have around the stable."