The milestones continue to roll in for the late great Zabeel, and Provocative handed the former Cambridge Stud sire another highlight on Saturday when becoming his 45th Group 1 winner in the Queensland Oaks. Zabeel is now on even terms with his own sire and former Cambridge barnmate Sir Tristram (Ire) in that category.
Provocative also capped a milestone day for Cambridge-based trainer Tony Pike, who had earlier on the card won his first Australian Group 1 with Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi {Ire}) in the JJ Atkins S.
A debut winner at Pukekura in December, the dark bay won a 2100-metre benchmark 65 race second-up at Ellerslie Feb. 4 before finishing sixth in the G2 Avondale Guineas. Fourth when dropped back to a mile for a Te Rapa benchmark 75 race May 7, Provocative rebounded to take an Ipswich handicap upped to 2190 metres 11 days later and was making her Australian debut on Saturday. Rolling along with just two behind her through the first half of the race, Provocative made a big move on the outside rounding the turn to swallow up much of the field. On the heels of Falkenberg at the top of the lane, Provocative swept past that rival passing the 200 metre mark while Ambience gave chase bravely but in vain. Provocative needed only moderate urging to keep up to the task late and score comfortably. Pike revealed that both Provocative and Sacred Elixir would remain in Australia to spell for the winter and, like Sacred Elixir, he said Provocative has some lofty targets for the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
“They will both spell here and do some pre-training and then head to Melbourne for the spring,” Pike told media after the race. “The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups is a long pipe dream [for Provocative], but she's a natural staying filly and that would be the plan.”
“Two Group 1s in Australia would have to be my biggest day and even the old horse [Sacred Star] ran a really brave race in the Stradbroke [when fifth],” Pike added. “It's been a super day and a lot of thanks to everyone involved.”
Provocative is the third foal out of Betwixt, winner of the G3 Tasmanian Derby. In another interesting twist to the result, the placed horses are both sisters to G1 Golden Slipper winners: Ambience is a half-sister to Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), and Falkenberg is a full-sister to Sebring (Aus).
Saturday, Eagle Farm, Australia
QUEENSLAND OAKS-G1, A$500,000, BRC, 6-11, 3yo, f, Open Set Weight, 2400mT, 2:32.17, Good.
1–&@#PROVOCATIVE (NZ), 56.5, f, 3, by Zabeel (NZ)
1st Dam: Betwixt (NZ) (GSW-Aus, $142,000), by O'Reilly (NZ)
2nd Dam: Not Sure (NZ), by Masterclass (USA)
3rd Dam: Icelette (NZ), by Icelandic (IRE)
(NZ$250,000 Ylg 2014 NZB National Yearling Sale) O-M & C
Wyborn & R Peel-Walker; B-Nearco Stud Limited, Waikato, NZ;
T-A W Pike; J-L G Innes; A$320,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-0,
A$350,534. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ambience, 56.5, f, 3, Street Cry (IRE)–Miss Right Note (IRE),
by Daylami (IRE). O-Godolphin; B-Darley NSW; T-J A O'Shea; J-J
B McDonald; A$100,000.
3–Falkenberg, 56.5, f, 3, More Than Ready (USA)–Purespeed,
by Flying Spur. O-Corumbene Stud Pty Ltd (Mgr: G Altomonte),
G Altomonte, Ms L N Smith & G Severini; B-Corumbene Stud
NSW; T-P & P Snowden; J-B Shinn; A$50,000.
Margins: 3.0 len, 3.1 len, 5.4 len. Odds: 6.00, 15.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: Sebring Sally, Dawnie Perfect, Imposing Lass (NZ), Alaskan Rose (NZ), Tavi Bay (NZ), Chabaud (NZ), Queen of Wands, Zasorceress (NZ), Mount Omei, Dulverton, Romantic Maid, Kebede, Self Esteem, Ashlee Marie, Tap This.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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