A dominant front-running performance carried lightly raced filly Aishiteru (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) to a maiden victory and a NZB Mega Maiden bonus at Riccarton on Wednesday.

In addition to the $14,375 winner’s stake in the $25,000 NZB Mega Maiden Series (2000m), Aishiteru also struck a $25,000 bonus. Her owners the Te Akau Sweet Embrace Racing Partnership receive $20,000 of that amount, while $5,000 goes to trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson.

Aishiteru has made two trips through the Karaka sale ring. She was a $50,000 purchase at the 2023 National Weanling Sale by Carlaw Park, who then re-offered her in Book 1 of Karaka 2024. She was the final yearling catalogued in Book 1 and was snapped up by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $150,000.

Wednesday’s race was the third career appearance for Aishiteru, who finished fourth over 1600 metres at Tauherenikau on January 2 and then was never a factor from an extremely wide gate over 2000 metres at Riccarton on February 4.

It was a different story on Wednesday as apprentice jockey Hayley Hassman drove Aishiteru forward to take up the lead inside the first 100 metres. Aishiteru controlled the race from that point on, increasing the pressure down the side of the track and rounding the turn with a commanding lead.

The other 11 horses in the race never looked like bridging the gap and Aishiteru kept up a strong gallop all the way down the straight, crossing the finish line three lengths clear of the second-placed Taimate Staar (NZ) (Eminent).

“She jumped well and there was no early speed, so we were happy to lob along and got some easy sectionals down the back,” Hassman said. “No one wanted to take us on, so things went our way.”

Walker and Bergerson were pleased to see Aishiteru take a big step forward at the third time of asking on Wednesday.

“Hunter Durrant (assistant trainer) and the team have changed things up with her, doing plenty of jumping and dressage work,” Walker said.

“It was a good, positive, ride by Hayley, and hopefully the win will give her the confidence to measure up in the next grade.

“It was also good to see her cope with some give in the track, which is a bit unseasonal at the moment, but there are generally more of them in the latter part of autumn.

“The performance was a big improvement on what she’d shown in her first two starts, which is very pleasing to see, and she’s obviously derived a fair bit from the race experience.”

The NZB Mega Maiden Series is an exciting initiative by NZB and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, generously supported by Entain. It sees $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 non-Saturday maiden races throughout New Zealand each season.

Multiple bonuses were struck across the northern, central and southern regions last season, with prominent owner and racing industry supporter Terry Lines taking out two of the bonuses with his runners Suavetta (NZ) (Almanzor) at Pukekohe Park for trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, and seven days later, Reprobate (NZ) (Ace High) at Gore for trainer Kelvin Tyler.

Aishiteru became the eighth horse to strike a Mega Maiden bonus in the 2025-26 season.

Sunday will be a significant day in the Mega Maiden Series, with the rare instance of two races scheduled on the same day. Taupo has the $18,500 Dickie Direct NZ (NZB Mega Maiden) (1400m) at Taupo, while the $18,500 NZB Mega Maiden Series (1360m) will be run at Wanganui.