Allure (middle horse in shot) pic compliments of Peter Rubery Race Images
Awapuni trainer Tony Bambry achieved the proverbial "two birds with one stone" when royally bred filly Allure claimed the opening event at New Plymouth today.
Bambry had designs on scoring both a two-year-old victory and capturing a lucrative NZB Insurance Pearl Series bonus from the event and his charge made it mission accomplished when she prevailed in a desperate finish to the contest.
The benefit of raceday experience played in Allure's favour as she began well in the hands of apprentice Holly Andrew before taking a sit behind the pace-making duo of northern raiders O'Marina and race favourite Lala Land. Angled into the clear in the straight Allure dug deep as she fought doggedly in a three-way finish that saw her head Lala Land right on the line to score by a nose with the locally trained Kaliper just a head back in third.
Bambry was quick to attribute the win to the use of some specialised training equipment that assisted in Allure's raceday preparation.
"We use the water treadmill with this horse as she hardly works at the track," he explained.
"It's not only great for horses with problems but also builds the core strength for these two-year-olds and that's what keeps them going."
Bambry has made a habit of targeting races in the Pearl Series scheme which sees registered New Zealand bred fillies and mares compete for enhanced stakes in designated events throughout their two, three and four-year-old seasons.
"We've got a high opinion of her as she is very well bred and I think she has got big things in front of her," he said.
"There is another Pearl Series event in a couple of weeks to look at. We've ticked one box with the two-year-old win as she is a filly we bought to keep and breed from."
Allure is the daughter of 2007 Gr. 1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes winner Captivate and was a $90,000 purchase for Bambry from the Haunui Farm draft at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka. – NZ Racing Desk
Bambry had designs on scoring both a two-year-old victory and capturing a lucrative NZB Insurance Pearl Series bonus from the event and his charge made it mission accomplished when she prevailed in a desperate finish to the contest.
The benefit of raceday experience played in Allure's favour as she began well in the hands of apprentice Holly Andrew before taking a sit behind the pace-making duo of northern raiders O'Marina and race favourite Lala Land. Angled into the clear in the straight Allure dug deep as she fought doggedly in a three-way finish that saw her head Lala Land right on the line to score by a nose with the locally trained Kaliper just a head back in third.
Bambry was quick to attribute the win to the use of some specialised training equipment that assisted in Allure's raceday preparation.
"We use the water treadmill with this horse as she hardly works at the track," he explained.
"It's not only great for horses with problems but also builds the core strength for these two-year-olds and that's what keeps them going."
Bambry has made a habit of targeting races in the Pearl Series scheme which sees registered New Zealand bred fillies and mares compete for enhanced stakes in designated events throughout their two, three and four-year-old seasons.
"We've got a high opinion of her as she is very well bred and I think she has got big things in front of her," he said.
"There is another Pearl Series event in a couple of weeks to look at. We've ticked one box with the two-year-old win as she is a filly we bought to keep and breed from."
Allure is the daughter of 2007 Gr. 1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes winner Captivate and was a $90,000 purchase for Bambry from the Haunui Farm draft at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka. – NZ Racing Desk
