Stella Rouge (NZ) Digs Deep In Thrilling Harness Million Win
24 March 2025
Stella Rouge (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) called on her star qualities when winning a thrilling edition of the Listed $150,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Fillies Final (2200m) at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
The Stonewall Stud filly emerged victorious by a narrow margin after an epic late battle with runner-up Arafura (NZ) (Sweet Lou).
The pair went stride for stride over the final 100m before Stella Rouge lifted late under the urgings of driver Tim Williams.
The victory delivered outstanding reward for prominent National Yearling Sales buyers Stonewall Stud and their trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer.
“I am just over the moon, these races are never easy to win,” Stonewall Stud’s Gill Stockman said.
“The top fillies, there is not too much between them all, but she is pretty special.”
Williams stayed out of the early battle for the lead which was eventually won by Arafura (NZ).
The reinsman then worked Stella Rouge around the field to sit outside the leader and set up a stirring home straight battle.
“He showed great patience and he drove her a treat,” Stockman said.
Stella Rouge was secured for $97,500 by Stonewall Stud when she was offered among the Dancingonmoonlight Ltd draft at the 2023 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.
The filly is trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer in Stonewall Stud’s large-scale North and South Island operation.
Stockman paid tribute to her horse’s trainers and their staff following her tenacious victory.
“We have got great teams north and south and that has allowed Mandy to be up here for the last week with the horse.”
Already a winner of the $100,000 Group One Ace Of Diamonds (1980m) at Addington in December, Stella Rouge took her career earnings past $200,000 with her Harness Million victory.
Arafura (NZ) lost no admirers when only going down by nose for trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen and driver Craig Ferguson in a thrilling finish to the lucrative feature
Winelight (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) ran a creditable third for the Cullen stable in her second Harness Million tilt, after taking out last year’s $150,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Fillies Final (1980m) at Addington.
| Vendor | Dancingonmoonlight Ltd |
| Purchaser | Stonewall Stud Ltd |
| Breeding | Bettor's Delight - Lady Gilpin Bay Filly |
| Sale | 2023 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Christchurch $97,500 |
| Breeder | Dancingonmoonlight Ltd |