Gold medal for James and Wellwood Filly at Ellerslie

Promising three-year-old filly Solid Gold (NZ) (Savabeel) stepped from a maiden victory at Ellerslie over 1600m at her last start to Group Three glory at the venue on Saturday when she claimed the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m).

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-prepared daughter of Waikato Stud super sire Savabeel dominated the betting markets to start a $2.60 Fixed Odds favourite, such was the strength of her maiden performance.

Given a perfect trip in midfield by rider George Rooke, Solid Gold looked an ominous presence as she swooped into contention on the home bend and rounded up pacemakers Fantastic Ideas (NZ) (Puccini) and King Jakkal (NZ) (King Of Comedy) shortly after straightening.

Last start winner La Diem (Wootton Bassett) quickly joined and headed her but Rooke was slowly winding the favourite up and she put her head down and fought back at the 200m.

The pair were locked together as they approached the finish line with Solid Gold thrusting her neck in front to take the win from La Diem and her stablemate Glance (NZ) (Savabeel) who fought well for third after having every chance in the run home.

Wellwood was delighted with her performance and the way in which the filly made good use of a handy barrier draw.

“She hasn’t had a lot of luck with gates and the like so it was nice to finally see her draw well (3) and especially for her first time over ground,” Wellwood said.

“It all went her way although I’m picking George will come back and say she wasn’t a big fan of the track.

“She can be a bit more electric when the ground is firmer but it is great to get the win and some black type for her.

“She is a good horse, simple as that and she has put a couple together so we will now have a chat with Mark and Pip (Chittick) and make a bit of a plan (for her).

“Brisbane is still an option but we won’t make any decisions until we have had a chat with her connections.”

Rooke was confident his mount would be tough to beat and also believes she will be even better over more ground.

“We had a good draw and we were always going to hold our position early,” he said. “We had a couple come around which kept it (the pace) honest but I would have liked it to be a bit more solid.

“She felt like a big baby first time over that trip but she was big and strong at the turn and tough in the finish.

“I think she will stay over further as she relaxes so well.”

Raced by her breeders Waikato Stud, Solid Gold is out of the O’Reilly mare Gram (NZ) and is the younger sister of multiple Australian stakes winner Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) who numbers the 2024 Gr.1 ATC Derby (2400m) amongst his six career wins.