Saturday’s Tauranga meeting in New Zealand began on a perfect note for Te Akau Racing, who won the first race with a smart debut performance by two-year-old filly About Last Night.

The daughter of Capitalist was sent out as a $1.30 favourite for the Gartshore Construction Maiden 2YO (950m), having made a big impression with a four-length victory in her only trial at Avondale at August 15.

About Last Night lived right up to those big expectations in the hands of jockey Warren Kennedy. After settling in second behind the front-running Ka Pai Kiwi, she cruised forward to take over at the turn and went on to win by nearly three lengths.

“She did it easily – nothing more than a track gallop,” Kennedy said.

About Last Night continued the perfect start to two-year-old racing this spring for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, who saddled Bellatrix Star to win the first juvenile race of the season at Wanganui earlier in the month.

“About Last Night had trialled up well and she’s very professional,” Walker said. “With that debut win under her belt, she can have a little holiday now and our main focus will be the Karaka Million in January. She’s got a great turn of foot.”

About Last Night is by Capitalist out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Kissmelikearocksta, a full-sister to stakes winner Sacred Man from the family of Group winner Fair Embrace.

David Ellis paid $75,000 to buy About Last Night from Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where she was offered by Westbury Stud and she runs for the Te Akau Girls Who Love To Party 2023 Racing Partnership, managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis.