Aussie Stakes Success for Champion NZ 2YO Avantage

The Champion 2YO in New Zealand last season, exciting filly Avantage (3f Fastnet Rock x Asavant, by Zabeel) made a winning Australian debut on Golden Slipper day when taking out the Group III ATC Birthday Card Quality at Rosehill.

Sporting the famed Te Akau colours, the Jamie Richards trained filly led all the way and when challenged by the Godolphin runner Resin found plenty under pressure to surge clear and win the 1200 metre sprint by three-quarters of a length.

It was her first run back from a spell, so Avantage will undoubtedly take benefit from the run going towards The Championships next month.

“We didn’t expect her to land in front, but it was a patient ride from Opie Bosson and she fought back to win well,” said Jamie Richards.

“She’s always been a high class filly and now we go to The Championships for the Group II Arrowfield Stakes worth $1million. She’ll have to take on the boys, but that’s what we’re here for.”

David Ellis of Te Akau Racing bought Avantage for $210,000 out of the Oaks Stud Premier draft at the 2017 Karaka Yearling Sale and she has the super impressive record of seven wins and a second from eight starts with earnings in excess of $800,000.

Avantage is the second winner for stakes-winning Zabeel mare Asavant, a daughter of Group III winner Pins ‘n’ Needles and half-sister to Hong Kong based Group I winning sprinter DB Pin.

Asavant has a yearling filly by Vancouver, a weanling filly by Fastnet Rock and is in foal to Fastnet Rock’s champion son Merchant Navy.