Ananbandana confirmed her status as New Zealand’s best juvenile with a demolition job of her rivals in the Group One Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie this afternoon.
Prepared by Don Sellwood, Anabandana was sent out the favourite on the strength of back to back group wins in the Eclipse and Breeders’ Stakes at Ellerslie and Matamata respectively.
In today’s race the Anabaa filly proved much too strong for her rivals – streaking clear under Opie Bosson to beat Charge Forward youngster Fort Lincoln by two and three quarter lengths.
Lee Freedman’s Australian raider Chateauneuf Dupape was another three parts of a length back in third place under Hames McDonald.
The outstanding winner stopped the clock for the 1200 metre feature in a sizzling 1 minute 8.35 seconds.
Anabandana was purchased by leading New Zealand bloodstock agent Marcus Corban for $26,000 from the Reavill Farm draft at the 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Corban bought the filly on behalf of Hamilton based client Christopher Grace – a happy man whose $26,000 investment is looking a masterstroke.
She’s already earned NZ$230,000 and looks to have an extremely bright future as a racehorse and down the track as a broodmare prospect.
She is by Anabaa – the sire of outstanding female gallopers including Goldikova, Virage de Fortune, Imananabaa, Court, French Bid and this season’s Villiers Stakes winner Dances on Waves.
She is the second winning produced by her dam – the well bred but unraced Nureyev mare Great Notice.
As well as Anabandana, Great Notice is the dam of four other winners including the Gimcrack Stakes winner Gybe.
Great Notice is a full sister to the international stakes winner European Rose – best known in recent times as the dam of New Zealand One Thousand Guineas winner King’s Rose.
Winner: Anabandana (Anabaa-Great Notice)
Race: ARC Diamond Stakes G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $26,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Reavill Farm
Buyer: Marcus Corban Bloodstock
Earnings: NZ$230,000
Owner(s): CJ Grace
Trainer: Don Sellwood
