THOROUGHBRED

In a heads up heads down battle ANABANDANA came out the victor to take out the Group 1 Oaks Stud Stallions Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes for the 2 year olds at Awapuni on Saturday.

ANTONIO LOMBARDO set the pace with ANABANDANA settling in third on the fence, she pulled out on the home turn and the fight was on, it looked like she had his measure and leveled up to put her nose in front at the 100 meter mark but ANTONIO LOMARDO wasn't finished and came again, they went to the line locked together and it could have gone either way in a tight photo. ANABANDANA got up to win by a nose from a gutsy ANTONIO LOMBARDO who had led them up. DOWAGER QUEEN was 3 1/2 lengths back in third.

ANABANDANA is a 2 year old filly by ANABAA - GREAT NOTICE, she is trained by Don Sellwood, was ridden by Opie Bosson and is owned by C J Grace.

She ran the 1400 meters in 1.22.80

Don Sellwood," She did the same at Auckland at Christmas time, got there, she just knows where the line is, she really does. What more can she do this year, we have had a wonderful time with her, she's marvelous absolutely marvelous she really is. I thought she was going to go up and run past him, but the other horse you really have got to give it to him, he kicked, he really kicked on her but she got the bob in. It's lovely just unbelievable."

Opie Bosson," Everything went to plan and I pushed it on the turn, I thought I had the second horse well and truly covered but he just kept fighting back, on the line I still wasn't sure I got up, I thought I got beat. They are both good horses I have won on ANTONIO LOMBARDO and he's done the same he's hard to get past when he's right. I think they are coming to the end of a long campaign and all credit to my filly she really did knuckle down and I'm glad she put her nose out first. She's a perfect little filly she's got a great attitude just switches off and does what ever you want and she's got a big heart."