Media Sensation Announces Arrival on Biggest Stage

Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) was a $425,000 yearling purchase at Karaka and already had a Group 3 victory to her name, but on Saturday she took her value to a whole new level.

The classy bay filly scored an outstanding Group 1 victory in the prestigious $300,000 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, moving to the top of the leaderboard in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.

It was a second New Zealand 1000 Guineas victory for owners Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer’s Barneswood Farm and trainers Peter and Dawn Williams. They teamed up to win the classic in 2011 with Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock), who went on to win the 2011-12 Filly of the Year Series crown.

Media Sensation had won the 1400-metre Soliloquy Stakes in her previous start, and on Saturday she mastered the metric mile in style. Rider Michael Coleman had her handily placed just behind the speed, then went for gold at the top of the straight.

Valalie (Snitzel) and Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing) chased hard, but Media Sensation kicked too strongly and crossed the finish line half a length clear.

“She travelled beautifully and switched off,” Coleman said. “I thought I might have gone too early, but she’s a quality filly.”

Media Sensation has now earned $248,875 in prizemoney.

“She raced really well today, we’re very happy,” Peter Williams said. “There’s a lot of value on her now. They’re great owners, they spend the money and they deserve results like this.”

Barneswood Farm is a major supporter of New Zealand thoroughbred racing. The Ashburton farm lends its name to multiple black-type events including the Listed Welcome Stakes, which was also held at Riccarton on Saturday.

The Guineas was Media Sensation’s first appearance in the Filly of the Year Series, and she has gone straight to the lead with 12 points.

Valalie is second with 7 points while Xpression, who ran second in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes in September, now sits in third place with 6.5 points. Gold Trail Stakes winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) is fourth with 6.

The third leg of the Series, the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m), will be held at Awapuni on December 15.