Given driver John Dunn’s perfect ride, the three-year-old filly proved too heavy in today’s $200,000 Group One Nevele R Three Year Old Fillies Final at Addington.
“It worked great. I followed Bob (Bob Butt and Duchess Of Kent) all the way. He and I got out at the right time at the top of the straight. She stayed balanced and got on the line really well,” said John.
At the end of a fairly torrid 1980 metres, Celestial Sea had a neck over Arafura, nose back to the Duchess of Kent and three-quarters of a length to fourth-place Chicago Sky.
The winning time was 2-22.6, with the final 800 logging out in 57.5 and the 400 in 29.3.
The victory was John’s thirty-third victory in Group 1 and the second time he has won the three-year-old fillies class. He won the race in 2014 with Venus Serena.
Celestial Sea was bred by Roxburgh breeder Bill Bain and sold at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales for just $20,000.
“We bought her at a yard sale. I loved her looks. She always showed great speed, but she now has a great body and a great heart. She is a keeper and we always thought the Oaks would be the ideal race for her,” Robert said.
The result was great for SBSR breeders, with small placegetters Duchess Of Kent and Chicago Sky also breeding in the south. The win adds to the great legacy of southern-bred fillies winning this race, dating back to 1984 winner Blue Water, bred by Grant Sim. Other southern bred fillies to win the Nevele R were Some Legacy, Robyns Treasure, Whanau, Western Dream and Amazing Dream.
For full race results, click here.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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