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How to tune into Sport NationCourt Of Appeal produces impressive New Zealand Cup dress rehearsal
Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING NZ News desk • October 11th, 2025 6:00 pm
Court Of Appeal winning Saturday’s Open (2200m) at Ashburton. Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images South)
Emerging stayer Court Of Appeal is shaping up as a competitive lightweight chance in next month’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) after destroying her rivals in Saturday’s Vernon Vazey 0800 & Truck Parts Open (2200m) at Ashburton.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared five-year-old mare was having the third run of her current campaign which opened with a win over 1600 metres on the poly-track at Riccarton last month before finishing midfield on the grass there a fortnight ago where a slow beginning put paid to her winning chances.
Rider Bruno Queiroz, who was aboard for the fresh-up victory, made sure there would be no repeat of that tardy starting effort as he had her away with the field and settled in midfield on the rail in the early stages of the contest.
Eased forward and off the fence at the 600m, Court Of Appeal dashed between runners on straightening before racing away to win easing down by four lengths at the winning post.
Queiroz was thrilled by the turn of foot his mount showed in the concluding stages.
“She was travelling very, very well at the 600m and over the last 400m she was flying home,” Queiroz said.
“I got the position I wanted to get and she did the rest.”
Co-trainer Walker admitted the stable had had to take a patient approach with the daughter of Eminent that was now beginning to pay dividends.
“She’s been a slow maturing type, but is getting there now and it was a terrific win today,” he said.
“When Dave (Ellis) bought her very cheaply for $20,000, she was always going to take time, but John (Galvin) wanted a really nice staying prospect and his ownership team have been very patient.
“I think this year we’re starting to see the best of her and Hunter (Durrant) and our staff in our stables at Riccarton have got her going really well.
“She’s settled into the surroundings down there extremely well. She’s a happy mare, and Bruno has really clicked with her.
“She can be a bit touchy in the barriers, but he seems to have the key to getting her away on terms and she’ll go on to black type company during Cup Week down there.”
Walker suggested Court Of Appeal would now target the Listed $100,000 Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Handicap (2600m) on the first day of Cup Week at Riccarton, and follow up a week later in the New Zealand Cup on 15 November where she is rated a $14 Fixed Odds chance by TAB Bookmakers.
Purchased out of the Brighthill Farm draft for $20,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing during the Karaka 2022 Book 2 Sale, Court Of Appeal is owned by John Galvin’s Fortuna Court Of Appeal Syndicate.
She is out of handy racemare Katy O’Beel, a daughter of Katy Keen who numbered the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.3 Rotorua Cup (2170m) amongst her ten race wins.
