High-class performer Romancing The Moon has returned in a blaze of glory with an outstanding resuming victory over 1100 metres at Taupo.
The Westbury Stud sold daughter of resident sire El Roca promised to be the headline act at Friday’s meeting and weight of expectation rested easily on the shoulders of the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare.
Last season’s G1 Levin Classic heroine showed good gate speed for apprentice Jessica Allen to cross the field from her outside gate and comfortably held her rivals at bay in the run home to win with authority under her 58.5kg.
“It was good to see her resume with such a bold win,” Walker said.
“She proved up to the best last season, was rewarded with a Group One victory, and it was a good ride from Jess.
“She increased the pace a long way from home, but the mare was up to the task and did it well.”
Romancing The Moon may now be given an upcoming opportunity to add to her burgeoning black-type record next time out in the G3 Red Badge Sprint on the final day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.
Romancing The Moon enjoyed a stellar three-year-old season and also won the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes and finished runner-up on four occasions, including the G3 Soliloquy Stakes, Listed NZB Insurance Stakes, Listed Dunedin Guineas and in the Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes.
She was bred by Matamata couple Hamish and Karyn McQuade and was purchased out of Westbury’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Te Akau chief David Ellis for $50,000.
“She was one of the real success stories of last season and it’s great to see her resume with another win,” Ellis said.
“She’s as tough as teak, loves the heat of battle, and has all the attributes of a good filly and mare. You can always guarantee she’ll try her heart out and that’s such a big help.”
Her dam Underthemoonlight was also a gifted performer and won six races, including the G2 Foxbridge Plate, the G3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes and the Listed Tauranga Classic and finished third in the G1 Tarzino Trophy.