Last season’s standout juvenile, La Dorada, has silenced the skeptics with a breathtaking return to the winner’s circle at Trentham. While much of the pre-race chatter and punter support focused on the James McDonald-led favorite, Argo, it was the gritty Super Seth La Dorada Filly who stole the show in the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) this past Saturday.
From Champion Juvenile to Three-Year-Old Redemption
For those following the career of the former Champion Two-Year-Old, the recent months have been a test of patience. After a dominant early career, including a Group 1 win at the same track, La Dorada faced a series of setbacks during a brief stint in Australia. Finishing at the tail end of the field in both the Moir Stakes and the Scarborough Stakes, some observers questioned if she had lost her competitive edge.
A lackluster fourth-place finish upon returning to local soil at Te Rapa last month did little to quiet the doubters. However, trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson remained steadfast, believing the filly simply needed the run to regain her fitness. Saturday’s performance proved their instincts correct, as she displayed the “wicked turn of foot” that defined her early success.
A Strategic Masterclass at Trentham
The race itself was far from a textbook victory. Despite drawing an advantageous inside gate, jockey Craig Grylls found himself in a tactical nightmare early on. As several rivals vied for the lead at a blistering pace, Grylls opted to drop back to avoid the initial fray. The decision nearly backfired when the field “hit the anchors,” causing La Dorada to be shuffled toward the rear with only three horses behind her as they rounded the bend.
Grylls stayed composed, weaving through a tightening pack of runners. Once she found clear air, the filly ignited, storming home to displace Swiss Prince and leave the heavily-backed Argo in third. Bergerson admitted to post-race relief, noting that while the mid-race positioning looked like a “disaster,” the horse’s sheer heart and toughness carried her through the sticky situation.
Road to the Karaka Millions and Beyond
With this victory, La Dorada has reignited her campaign for the upcoming summer features. She is already a known quantity at the Karaka Millions, having won the two-year-old edition last year. Her sights are now set on the $1.5 million 1600m event at Ellerslie on January 24. Beyond the immediate future, her return to form has massive implications for the stable’s slot in the $4 million NZB Kiwi scheduled for March. Given her history of thriving under pressure and her rising prizemoney tally—now sitting just shy of $1.3 million—she is once again a primary contender for the season’s top honors.
| Feature Race | Distance | Scheduled Date | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAB Karaka Millions | 1600m | January 24 | $1.5 Million |
| NZB Kiwi | 1500m | March 2026 | $4.0 Million |
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