Lovetrista Oozes Class in NZB Filly Series

Blue-blood prevailed in the Listed $55,000 Cambridge Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Lovetrista (Rock of Gibraltar x Tristalove) decisively winning the second leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.

Having just her second race-day start the John Sargent trained three-year-old was guided by Jason Waddell to finish one-and-a-half lengths ahead of Seachange's little sister Keepa Cruisin (Keeper x Just Cruising) with Boundless (Van Nistelrooy x Nothing Less) another length back in third.

Racing in the colours of her breeders, and race sponsor, Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan, the regally bred filly is from Tristalove, the dual Group 1 winning daughter of Sir Tristram. Tristalove is the daughter of Diamond Lover (Sticks And Stones) and the grand-daughter of dynasty founder Eight Carat (Pieces of Eight). Now deceased, during her breeding career she produced Group 1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes winner, and sire at Cambridge Stud, Viking Ruler (Danehill), as well as stakes-winners Kempinsky (Danehill) and Diamond Like (Danehill) and stakes-placed Chimeara (Danehill) - the dam of Group 1 STC Rosehill Guineas winner, De Beers (Quest For Fame).

Represented on the day by his daughter Nicola, Hogan was unable to enjoy the win on course having already left to enjoy the Rugby World Cup in Europe. In a fortuitous turn of events he acquired his tickets through a chance meeting with legendary All Black Jock Hobbs where a deal was made: 12 tickets to the Rugby World Cup for a share in his best horse, resulting in Hobbs' first foray into racehorse ownership with a share in Lovetrista.

In addition to Sir Patrick Hogan, Hobbs also races the filly with his business partner Graham Jackson and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Chairman Guy Sargent.

Meanwhile, trainer John Sargent, a long time friend of Hobbs and rugby team-mate at Christ's College, reported that a likely run in the Listed James and Annie Sarten Memorial on 22 October will be her last before she is set to clash with Diamond Deck (Octagonal x Miss Trump) in the next race of the Series, the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on 10 November.

Lovetrista now holds second place on the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year leaderboard with four points, two behind Diamond Deck.

Click here to view the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year race schedule.