Brilliant Group 3 Win for Yourdeel (NZ)

Exciting two-year-old Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel) took his earnings past his $100,000 Book 1 purchase price with a runaway win in the $70,000 Group 3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) at Matamata on Saturday.

A dominant debut winner at Te Rapa in December, Yourdeel placed behind star stablemate Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in his next two starts including the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m).

On Saturday he showed some star quality of his own, sprinting to the lead in the home straight and racing away to win by six lengths.

Raced by Chris Rutten, John Norwood and Rod Preston, Yourdeel has now had four starts for two wins, two placings and $124,350 in prize-money.

“His work had been really strong heading into this,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “We were a bit worried about today’s slow track conditions, but he’s a pretty exciting horse, I think.

“He’s always shown plenty of ability, but he was a little colty in the spring. As soon as we got that out of the road, he really turned the corner and turned into a racehorse.

“We’re very grateful to Chris Rutten for buying this horse and giving him to us to train. We really appreciate the support. Hopefully now it’s onwards and upwards into the Sistema Stakes (Group 1, Ellerslie, March 9).”

Yourdeel was bred by Dan Myers, who sold him for $30,000 as a weanling at Karaka in 2017. He was bought by Little Avondale Stud, who sold him in their draft at Book 1 for $100,000.

Yourdeel’s stablemate Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) finished second on Saturday. He has had four starts for a Group 2 win and three stakes placings, earning $260,150 in stakes.

The $80,000 Book 1 graduate Moeraki (NZ) (El Roca) was third. He has now placed in both of his two starts and has earned $13,000.