The colours of prominent owner David Price were carried to victory in the opening event at Tauranga on Friday when Self Obsession (NZ) (Shocking) scored a comfortable three-and-a-half length win to break maiden ranks at the second time of asking when successful over 1600m.
The three-year-old daughter of Shocking is prepared by champion trainer Jamie Richards, who also saddled runner-up Trieste.
The staying-bred filly was strong through the line after sitting handy to the speed throughout and is likely to be a contender for black-type fillies races over the Christmas and New Year period.
“She’s a nice big staying type of filly that has improved with time and maturity,” Richards said.
“I liked the way she put a space in them turning for home and she’s a filly that’s open to more improvement. She was able to put some pressure on from the 600m and kept up a strong gallop.
“There’s some nice staying races coming up for her and we’ll see what looks most suitable in the next two or three weeks.”
Owner David Price is a noted form analyst and bloodstock trader based in Hong Kong, who also bred the filly by Rich Hill Stud stallion Shocking.
The talented filly is out of the O’Reilly mare Mawaakib, who won on debut as a juvenile for David Hayes at Sandown and is in turn out of the Group Three placed mare My Hangover.
“I’m a massive fan of Shocking,” Price said.
“I hold a share in him and cannot believe he is not over-subscribed every season.
“There is never a year without black-type performers by Shocking and I’m thrilled that we may have bred our own quality performer.
“I’m also over the moon to have linked up with Jamie Richards. I had the pleasure of meeting him in Hong Kong a few years back and was always keen to have a toe in the stable. I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
Self Obsession sports the red, white and blue colours of the Western Bulldogs, with Price a life-long supporter of the AFL team based in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
