The victory capped a stunning week for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards and jockey Matt Cameron who had combined seven days ago to triumph in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas with Xtravagant.
Risque is raced by Dick Karreman's The Oaks Stud, whose racing manager Rick
Williams sent the filly to Te Akau's Matamata stable with a message."When we got her Rick said 'this is the horse' and we were fortunate he gave her to us," Autridge said.
"After a while we knew in the back of our minds that she would be special and she's proved it. It's been an unbelievable seven days."
As has been the stable's tradition in recent years, Risque was sent south early and she was an 11 length winner at Ashburton in the spring.
She continued to progress and finished runner-up in the Guineas Trial at Riccarton before the daughter of Darci Brahma was successful in the Listed Armadillo Stakes.
"We won this race 10 years ago with Seachange and we've had a few placings since so it's terrific, a big thrill for Dick and Darci Brahma," Williams said.
Stable rider Cameron pulled the right rein when he opted to partner Risque in the Guineas and he brought her with a powerful finishing run from back in the field to down Strada Cavallo, the front-runner Dezzies Dream and the winner's stable mate Special Memories.
"I can't believe it – I made the right choice," he said. "I had to come a bit wide and once I went for her and gave her a couple behind the saddle she really lengthened out and she was too good for them. What a week it's been."
Risque is the best of four winners from stakes-placed So Explicit, who comes from the family of former brilliant Australian stakes-winner Purpose and more recent Australian stakes-winners such as Oasis Bloom, Underestimation and Hadaaf.– NZ Racing Desk.
