Well-related filly Paravane (Merchant Navy) broke through for her maiden win in pleasing fashion at Ellerslie on Wednesday when taking out the Join TAB Racing Club 1200 in the hands of senior hoop Vinnie Colgan.
The daughter of Merchant Navy jumped well and was taken straight to the front by Colgan, who set a good tempo upfront, and the pair were never tested, with Paravane running out a comfortable 2-1/2 length victor for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson.
Out of Group Two performer In The Vanguard, Paravane is a half-sister to Te Akau’s former Group One winner Sword Of State (Snitzel), who now stands at Cambridge Stud.
Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis purchased Paravane out of Newgate Farm’s 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for A$120,000.
She finished fifth on debut over 1200m at Te Rapa in December before being freshened, and impressed with her trial win over 800m at Ellerslie last month prior to her resuming run.
“She had trialled well in front and I didn’t want to change too much with her pattern, and in doing so she won pretty easily,” Colgan said.
“She was a bit disappointing when she debuted in December at Te Rapa, but I did take a sit. I pulled back and she got quite lost in behind horses but was in control today.”
Te Akau’s Racing Manager Reece Trumper was pleased for her winning connections, saying they have been rewarded for their patience with the filly.
“Paravane has taken a bit of time to mature, but the owners have been very patient,” he said.
“Mark and Sam did the right thing in giving her a bit of time after her first start and I think the owners will be rewarded now.
“It was a great ride by Vinnie to have her travelling beautifully in front and it looked like she would be hard to beat turning for home.
“She had trialled very well at Ellerslie, a month ago, when ridden on speed, and she’s certainly a filly we think a lot of.
“As she matures and gets stronger, she should develop into a lovely four-year-old mare. “She obviously has a lot of residual value, being a half-sister to Sword Of State, and it’s always great to have Sir Owen Glenn in the ownership group.”