4 Apr 2009
Zapurple (Zabeel x Purple Groove, by Rhythm) has cleared maiden ranks in winning the Group 3 Feltex Carpets South Australian Oaks (2500m) at Morphettville racecourse in Adelaide on Saturday.
It was the first Group race success for Zapurple who had finished fourth in the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks, also run at Morphettville racecourse in Adelaide, a fortnight earlier.
Zapurple went into her latest Oaks racing assignment still as a maiden but she comfortably broke that status in posting her first victory. She came from well back in the field to reel in the leaders in the home straight.
Succesful dam Purple Groove was the winner of six races including the Listed Let's Elope Stakes at Flemington.
Jockey Nick Ryan was confident the Jim Conlan-trained filly would stay all day after Saturday's triumph in the $100,000 feature.
"She had a lap on them over that trip," Ryan told AdelaideNow.
"I was worried she was travelling too well mid-race so I got going well before the turn to make it into a staying test.
Zapurple is currently on the fourth line of betting with TAB Sportsbet for the Group 1 A$500,000 AJC Australian Oaks on April 18.
Zabeel - Latest Key Statistics as at 6 April 2009
Supplied by Cambridge Stud and compiled by Positive PR Ltd.
Commenced stud duties in New Zealand in 1991
Champion Australian Sire - twice
Champion Australian Sire (Average Earnings Index) - twice
Champion New Zealand sire (Australia and NZ progeny earnings combined) - 12 times
Champion New Zealand sire - four times
New Zealand winners - 197 (individual)
Australian winners - 548 (individual)
Worldwide winners - 741 (individual)
Worldwide wins by Zabeel's progeny - 2426
Stakes winners - 120 (individual)
Group winners - 85 (individual)
Group 1 winners - 39 (individual)
Group 1 wins by Zabeel's progeny - 81
Most Successful Progeny (by Group 1 wins): Octagonal 10, Might And Power 7, Vengeance Of Rain 6.