by Mike Curry

One week after a clear victory in the New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1), Katie Lee needed every stride in the straight to reel in game runner-up Keep the Peace and win the New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) on Saturday at Riccarton Park.

Katie Lee was reserved near the back of the 18-horse field by jockey Opie Bosson in the 1,600-meter (7.95-furlong) turf race, and the Pins filly was trapped in traffic leaving the turn. Keep the Peace extended her stride to challenge Gofonze for the lead and surged to the front. Katie Lee waited for running room of the outside under Bosson, but she accelerated willingly when clear and took aim on Keep the Peace.

Keep the Peace was up to the challenge and battled determinedly when tested by Katie Lee, who edged past in the final strides to prevail in 1:37.88 on turf rated as good.

Trained by Graeme Rogerson, Scott Lucock, and Roydon Bergerson for owners Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Katie Lee posted her fourth stakes win and improved to six victories from 14 starts. She is out of group stakes winner Miss Jessie Jay, by Spectacularphantom. Miss Jessie Jay is a half sister to New Zealand champion sprinter Gee I Jane.

Keep the Peace was three-quarters of a length in front of fast-closing Our Ella Bella.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor