Breeding & Racing Magazine

Xtravagant Wins Gr1 Waikato Sprint

At Te Rapa in New Zealand, Rich Hill Stud's dual Gr1-winning stallion Pentire (Be My Guest-Gull Nook, by Mill Reef) celebrated an elite Gr1 success when star 3YO New Zealand-bred colt Xtravagant (Pentire-Axiom, by Zabeel) romped home by 8-lengths for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards in the NZ$200,000 Gr1 Waikato Sprint (1400m) for 3YO+, over 4YO entire Vespa (Elusive City-Miss Avalon, by Fantastic Light) & 5YO mare Recite (Darci Brahma-Chant, by Traditionally). Xtravagant confirmed his status as New Zealand's most exciting galloper when taking his record to 5 wins (including the Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas) and 1 placing from 5 starts for NZ$423,750 earnings. Xtravagant will now test himself against Australia's best 3YOs when he contests the Gr1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on 5 March. "It's been unbelievable and we made a plan before the race," co-trainer Stephen Autridge told NZ Racing Desk. "There was a strip along the fence that was perfect and the horse showed his class." he added: "We saved the ground and now it's the Australian Guineas – bring it on." From the unraced Zabeel mare Axiom, Xtravagant is a sibling to multiple Gr1 performer and NZ 2,000 Guineas runner-up He's Remarkable and was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for NZ$375,000 from the draft of Rich Hill Stud at last year's NZ Bloodsptock Premier Yearling Sale.