Pennyweka (NZ) Provides Unforgettable NZB Filly Series Finale

Even without the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title on the line, this year’s edition of the $450,000 Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday was something special, thanks to a fairy-tale performance by Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

Representing a 70-strong syndicate of owners who packed the Trentham stands for the prestigious fillies’ classic, Pennyweka outstayed and overpowered her 16 rivals for an Oaks win that will live long in the memory.

Presented out of the pack at the top of the straight by Ryan Elliot, Pennyweka powered to the front and drew clear in an emphatic display of superior stamina. She reached the finish line three lengths ahead of runner-up Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor), with a neck back to the third-placed Mischief Managed (NZ) (Derryn).

From nine starts, Pennyweka has now had two wins, four placings and $334,080 in prize-money. She was bred by Wairarapa brothers Jim and Les Wallace, and Jim Wallace trains her at Opaki.

“That is just really special, because it has been a very rough week,” Jim Wallace said. “For this to happen is right up there.

“There’s a few of the syndicate (the Galloping Wekas Jazweka Syndicate) here today and about 25 of my own family as well, the first time we have all been together in years.

“There are four teenage girls here from America (Wallace’s granddaughters) who have never been on a racetrack before, having just a wonderful day, and that is what racing is all about.

“I’ve virtually retired from training, but this filly has rekindled the interest, and it is great to win a Group One after having my mother die and my daughter-in-law pass away three weeks ago, so this is a great fillip for the whole family.

“When Ryan got the split today, she quickened up like a good horse should. I was starting to feel good at the 300-metre mark, and I’m sure the celebrations are going to go on for a while.

“I’d like to put her in the paddock now – I’m old-school, and she can do some maturing. I’d like to give her every opportunity to fulfil her potential.”

A winner on Livamol Classic day at Hastings in October, Pennyweka had subsequently finished third in the Group Three Wellington Stakes (1600m), ninth in the Group Two Wellington Guineas (1400m), second in the Group Three Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and third in the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2100m) before Saturday’s Oaks triumph.

The Lowland Stakes placing was the first time that Elliot was in the saddle, and that was the beginning of a classic-winning combination.

“I had a good chat to Jim at the Karaka Sales in January, and I ended up getting the opportunity to ride this filly in the Lowland,” Elliot said. “The way she ran there gave us some confidence.

“Jim had the horse ready and fit to perform today. I was just trying to weave my way through and get the right run. She’s travelled strongly throughout the race, and once we got clear air, she really let down. She built up a lot of momentum, and it was a great feeling.”

The Oaks win moved Pennyweka up to 17 points on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series leaderboard, which sees her finish in second spot.

The 11th and final leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, the Oaks is worth 12 points to the winner and often decides which filly takes the coveted honour. But the early stages of this season’s series were completely dominated by superstar filly Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), who had racked up 26 points by Boxing Day and was out of the reach of any of Saturday’s field.

Legarto later crossed the Tasman and became the first New Zealand-trained three-year-old to ever win the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington earlier this month.

“We’re so grateful for all the congratulations we’ve received since that Guineas win, and it’s great to have that Filly of the Year title all sewn up as well,” Legarto’s co-trainer Ken Kelso said last week.

“It’s been an incredible season for three-year-olds in New Zealand – I can’t remember another one quite like it. As well as our filly, we’ve also had the likes of Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) and Prowess (NZ) (Proisir). The award for champion three-year-old this season is going to be very interesting.”