Devise Earns Elusive Group 1 Ring

After the injury induced scratch of Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), a winner of the 2017 G1 New Zealand Oaks, the runner-up in that contest deputized admirably, as Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), became her sire's ninth Group 1 winner when she pulled off a half-length score in the 1600-metre G1 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic at Hastings on Saturday.

Tabbed the second choice at 14-5 after 11-5 crowd's pick, New Zealand Champion Sprinter Start Wondering (NZ) (Eighth Wonder {NZ}), the 4-year-old mare established an ideal stalking trip in fifth as Brilliant Shine (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) set out in front. Poised to pounce from the 600-metre mark, the Shaune Ritchie trainee inched up to fourth and swooped five deep into contention in upper stretch. G1SW Consensus (NZ) (Postponed) had taken over leadership duties in the meantime and proved game in the run to the line, but she could not hold off Devise to her outside, who was going slightly better inside the final furlong. Travimyfriend (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was 1 1/4 lengths back in third, the same margin in front of Brilliant Shine, while Start Wondering was another 1 1/4 lengths back in fifth.

“She really does deserve this,” Ritchie told NZ Racing. “It was a bit easier without Bonneval here, she's been a bridesmaid to her a couple of times. It helped that a few of the favoured runners drew wide, but I'm delighted for the horse. She always puts in and she's a lovely mare.”

Added pilot Michael Coleman, “There was good speed and she travelled up peaches and cream before I let her rip. She's super consistent and deserved a big one.”

Runner-up in the New Zealand Oaks at three to Bonneval, Devise ran eighth to that rival in Randwick's G1 Australian Oaks on Apr. 8 and was spelled until lifting a Ellerslie 1400-metre Benchmark 85 handicap on Nov. 7. Third later that month in similar conditions at Pukekohe, she completed the superfecta in the G2 Cal Isuzu S. at Te Rapa on Dec. 16 and was a last out bridesmaid in the 2100-metre G3 Trentham S. on Jan. 13.

Saturday, Hastings, New Zealand
WFA S.-G1, NZ$200,000, Otaki Maori RC, 2-24, Open WFA, 1600mT, 1:34.30, Good.
1–DEVISE, 57.0, m, 4, by Darci Brahma
1st Dam: Doneze Girl, by Volksraad (GB)
2nd Dam: Miss Trump (AUS), by Last Tycoon (IRE)
3rd Dam: Shadea, by Straight Strike (USA)
1ST STAKES, GROUP AND GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-The Oaks Stud;
T-S F Ritchie; J-M T Coleman; NZ$118,750. Lifetime Record:
14-4-3-3, A$262,899. *1/2 to Zurella (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}),
MGSW & MG1SP-NZ, NZ$268,625. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Consensus, 57.0, m, 6, Postponed (USA)–Kate Cross, by Cape
Cross (IRE). O-Mrs T Gibbens, S Lamond, Mrs D P & M D J
Molloy, Dame Julie Christie & Est Late M C Molloy; B-M2
Racing Limited, Waikato, NZ; T-S J McKee; J-A B Collett;
NZ$38,000.
3–Travimyfriend, 59.0, g, 5, Tavistock–Pineau, by Carnegie
(IRE). O-D P Brophy, Mrs M A Cocksedge, C W Erb, Miss R A
Frost, J F Goodin, G R O'Dea & Mrs J Richardson; B-Mrs H A & J
F Goodin & G R O'Dea, Central, NZ; T-Ms R Frost; J-C W
Johnson; NZ$19,000.
Margins: 0.5 len, 1.8 len, 3.1 len. Odds: 2.80, 13.60, 28.00.
Also Ran: Brilliant Terror, Start Wondering, Shadows Cast, Savvy Dreams, Beefeater, Scapolo, Authentic Paddy, Ronchi, Splurge, Nymph Monte. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Pedigree Notes…
Devise is a homebred for The Oaks Stud, who stands her sire, multiple champion Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill). The fourth foal and third winner out of the placed Doneze Girl (NZ), Devise was consigned by The Oaks Stud to the Karaka Premier Yearling Sale in 2015, but didn't attract a bid, despite having a second dam who is a half-sister to three noteworthy Octagonal (NZ) siblings: Australian Horse of the Year Lonhro (Aus), MG1SW Niello (Aus) and Australian MSW & GSP Shannara (Aus). She is the second daughter of Doneze Girl to run second in the G1 New Zealand Oaks after her half-sister Zurella (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) in 2012. Zurella, a two-time group winner in her native land, also ran third in the G1 Waikato Draught Sprint and scored at Group 2 level across the Tasman before selling for A$800,000 in foal to Vancouver (Aus) at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale to Dean Hawthorne. Doneze Girl, a half-sister to Group 3 winner Diamond Deck (NZ) (Octagonal {NZ}) has an unraced sophomore full-sister to Devise named Revise (NZ) and a juvenile full-brother to come. G1 AJC Oaks heroine Mahaya (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) is a half-sister to Devise's third dam, GSW & MG1SP Shadea (NZ) (Straight Strike).