Photo: Trish Dunell
Novashow (Showcasing x Bonaichi) picked up a valuable bonus when successful in the NZB Pearl Series Race (1400m) at Te Rapa on Wednesday.
The three-year-old daughter of Showcasing was coming off a last-start fifth at Rotorua where she had jumped swiftly to lead before being heading in the straight.
This time around she again quick from the gates with jockey Craig Grylls settling her just off the initial leader Mini Miner. Grylls launched his challenge coming out of the turn with the pair battling it out down the straight.
Just when Novashow looked to be beaten she found her reserves and got her head in front to win by a short neck.
As well as earning the winner’s cheque, Novashow also cashed in on the Level B Pearl Series Bonus of $11,500 for her connections.
Co-breeder and owner Mark Chitty, managing director of Haunui Farm, is fully supportive of the series and was thrilled with the effort from their homebred filly.
“It’s a great scheme for racing fillies and mares in New Zealand,” he said. "I think we’ve won four or five since it started and the bonus is a great shot in the arm at the industry day level.
“It really encourages you to nominate fillies you have bred and we like to support the scheme, nominating our fillies and hoping they are good enough to pick up a bonus along the way.
“The win was a great training effort by Wexford and full credit to the NZTBA to keep the pressure on to ensure the series continues.”
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Novashow was bred in partnership with Gillian Spencer and is raced by Haunui Bloodstock Ltd, G Spencer, J H & S R Maasland & R Pimm.
Nominations for the foal crop of 2020 will open in the next month, for more information head to https://pearlseries.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/ -NZTBA
