Arlingtonboulevard Claims Group 1 Victory
9 April 2006
New Zealand's richest race for fillies and mares, the Group 1 NZ$120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on Saturday, saw Arlingtonboulevard (Spinning World x Golden Bridge) claim the victory following a determination of the placings in the Stewards' room.
First past the post was Viennetta (Pins x Bali Sugar) with Darryl Bradley aboard, who sat up on the pace and powered home ahead of a full field of some of the country's most exciting fillies and mares. Arlingtonboulevard finished close behind in second place and Salsa (O'Reilly x Ungaro), ridden by Leith Innes, finished in third.
However Innes immediately launched a protest against Viennetta, after Darryl Bradley drifted his mount across Salsa's line preventing her from running second. The protest was upheld, with the result seeing Viennetta relegated to third position and Arlingtonboulevard recording the Group 1 win. Darryl Bradley has been suspended for three weeks for careless riding.
Trained by Mark Walker for the Belmont Lodge Syndicate No.1 managed by Gordon Calder, this is Arlingtonboulevard's first Group 1 win. The capable mare has finished further back than third in just one of her last nine outings, with Mark Walker deciding whether to back her up in the Group 1 Easter Handicap on Easter Monday later in the week.
It is the fifth year that New Zealand Bloodstock has sponsored the Te Aroha Group 1 feature, and is one of four Group 1 sponsorships by New Zealand Bloodstock over the past season.
Earlier in the day, the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance 3YO saw Karaka Festival Sale graduate, Tachus (Lord Ballina x Lady Wolverine), secure a bold one and three-quarter length win. Bought by trainer Moira Murdoch for NZ$13,000, this is the second win in a row for the three year old colt, and his third win from six career starts.