Haunui Farm was in party mood at the weekend following the commanding victory of Liberating at Wanganui.

Liberating (NZ) became first Australasian winner for Haunui shuttler Iffraaj.  “It’s really nice to get that first winner before Christmas and we are all pretty excited,” Haunui studmaster Mark Chitty said.  “Iffraaj has some got some lovely foals on the ground and he’s serving another really good book of mares this season.”

Trained by Dick and Chris Bothwell at Stratford, Liberating showed impressive gate speed to hold the lead and a good turn of foot to dash clear in the straight for a dominant win over Clippet (Snippetson) and Little Drummer Boy (Patapan).

“I always thought the Iffraaj fillies would come earlier than his colts as there’s a lot of speed on his female side,” Chitty said.  “It certainly looks like Dick (Bothwell) has got another really good filly on his hands.  He also bought Blinding off us and she’s a pretty decent sort.”

Bred by Southland farmer Keith Neylon, Liberating was purchased by Bothwell for $26,000 out of the Haunui Select Sale line-up at Karaka earlier this year.  “She was a nice-looking yearling and a November foal so she wasn’t that big but she was always very well-balanced,” Chitty said.

Liberating (2f Iffraaj – Dina by Stravinsky) is from a half-sister to Raw Instinct (Housebuster) who won 5 black-type races among an overall tally of 13 victories.

Iffraaj (Zafonic) was 2010 Champion first-season sire in Europe with G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Wootton Bassett leading the way among a record 38 individual winners.

Iffraaj stands at Haunui Farm for a $17,500 (plus gst) fee.  He will be represented by 11 lots at next month’s NZB Ready To Run Sale.