Members of the Galloping Wekas Jazweka Syndicate threatened to tear down the Trentham grandstand after they witnessed their pride and joy Pennyweka stride clear in the final stages of the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) yesterday.
More than 70 people associated with the three-year-old daughter of Satono Aladdin let out a united roar as rider Ryan Elliot found clear galloping room shortly after straightening, with Pennyweka proving the best stayer as she dashed to a three-length victory.
Included in the ownership structure are Wairarapa brothers Jim and Les Wallace, who bred the filly, and their wives Mary and Janine — and about 70 other smaller syndicate members.
Jim Wallace, who trains the filly, had been confident the stars had aligned for his charge after the Wallace family had assembled from all corners of the globe as part of a huge celebration of the life of Madeleine Wallace, the late wife of Jim and Mary’s son David, at Ardsley Stud on Friday, only a day after Jim and Les’ mother, Margaret, died.
“That is just really special as it has been a very rough week,” Jim Wallace said.