The Group One Fibre Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha, is the only group one race restricted to fillies and mares on our racing calendar, and every year attracts a strong field of the best sprinter/ miler female racehorses around.
This year was no exception with no less than 10 of the field of 12 being stakes performers, and they were the first 10 home in the race. The winner was Miss Wilson a five-year-old mare by Stratum(AUS) from Cierzo, raced by her breeders Liz and Richard Wood and their Chouxmaani Investments Limited.
In the hands of big race rider Vinnie Colgan she settled in third position after Nicoletta and Ruud Not Too took off at a lightning pace from the 1400 putting at least five lengths on the rest of the field. Once in the straight Colgan balanced her up and took off after a brave Nicoletta, and collared her near the line. Once again a fast finishing The Auld Floozie flew home to finish second ahead of Nicoletta with Heni in fourth position
The Woods are members of the Hawkes Bay/Poverty Bay branch of the NZTBA and are best known for the deeds of Miss Wilson’s older half-brother the former Three-year-old Champion colt, and now a successful sire Jimmy Choux.
Miss Wilson who has now won seven races and has been placed seven times, having previously won the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes last autumn and the Gr.3 Red Badge Sprint earlier in the season. She is the seventh foal from the Centaine(AUS) mare Cierzo, and her fifth winner, with Jimmy Choux being the most significant of those winners.
Jimmy Choux won 12 races in three seasons of racing including five group one wins. At three he won the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1 New Zealand Derby, Gr.1 2000 Guineas, Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas, Gr.2 Hawkes Bay Guineas, Gr.3 Wellington Stakes, and Gr.3 Waikato Guineas.
At four he won the Gr.1 Spring Classic and Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate and his home track at Hawkes Bay and ran second in the Gr.1 Makfi Classic Challenge Stakes, before going on to run second in the Gr.1 W.S.Cox Plate.
Choux Mania a full-sister to Jimmy Choux won three races in Australia, while Chouxshine by King’s Chapel won two. Cierzo has been at stud in Australia since Miss Wilson was conceived and has a two-year-old and yearling by Fastnet Rock(AUS) and is in foal to Pierro
Cierzo is out the stakes winning mare Gale (Wild Rampage[AUS]), who is a half-sister to the Champion Three-Year-Old of 2000-01 in Danamite (Danasinga[AUS]). They in turn are out of the Imposing Choice.
As is the case with this race day the NZTBA present a trophy to the breeder of the winning mare and in NZTBA Councillor was on hand to present the trophy to the Woods.
“I was ecstatic for Richard and Liz they put a hell of a lot into the industry and they were quite overwhelmed and emotional over the win,” said Pascoe.
“I have known them professionally and personally for a number of years and it gave me great pleasure to present the trophy to them. Miss Wilson was raised on our Club Med property here in the Waikato.”
Pascoe also commented on the great turn out of members of the NZTBA at the Te Aroha races, who were hosted by the Waikato Branch.
“We had a marquee for the first time in a few years, back in the old spot beside the birdcage and it was wonderful to be back in that environment. Over 120 members entered the competition for a free service to Sweynesse (AUS), so I guess that is how many members came and went during the day.
“There was a great atmosphere in the marquee and a lot of members who hadn’t been coming for a number of years were back enjoying the great racing and hospitality.” - Michelle Saba
