New SW for Power

Media Release - Saturday March 6

Talented three-year-old The Gift proved too tough for her age group rivals at Wingatui on Saturday as she collected her first black-type success in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m).

The Gift and rider Jacob Lowry are well clear as they hit the finish line at Wingatui Photo Credit: Tayler Strong

The Robert Dennis-trained daughter of Power had to settle for the runner-up position behind Showemhowitsdone in both the Listed Gore Guineas (1355m) and the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) before battling into sixth off a wide run in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) at her last three starts.

Despite drawing handily in gate five for Saturday’s feature, rider Jacob Lowry found himself trapped three-wide during the early running. Lowry didn’t panic and allowed his mount to balance up before making an attacking move shortly before rounding the home bend.

Lowry went for the doctor at the top of the straight as he quickly shot The Gift clear. That proved the winning move as she dug deep in the final stages to comfortably hold out a late challenge from the previously unbeaten Larpower and stablemate Ocean Point.

Dennis has made no secret of his high regard for The Gift, who has now won four of her 11 starts.

“She is one tough filly and she showed that again today,” he said.

“She has now had four starts in three weeks, all at black-type level and she is thriving.

“She didn’t get the best run today but thankfully Jacob managed to get a breather for her at just the right time in the mid-stages.

“When he asked her to go, she put a couple of lengths on them and held on very comfortably.”

Dennis was full of praise for Lowry who was having his first raceday ride on The Gift, although he wasn’t totally unfamiliar with her.

“I think Jacob may have ridden her in her first gallop way back in June last year,” he said.

“He’s worked her a few times, but this was his first go on raceday and he did a great job.

Advertisement

“I think she can have a short breather now as her next target isn’t for five weeks.

“We’re looking at the three-year-old series at Riccarton and the first one there is the Listed 1600m on April 10.

“Ocean Point also went a super race after being held up a little in behind them.

“She looks as though more ground will suit her now, so I think we will try to get her up to 2000m in her next few starts.”

Lowry was confident he had his rivals covered a long way from home despite some early traffic issues.

“We ended up being caught a little wide, but I managed to drop in and get a breather just before the pace really went on,” he said.

“Once she got that, she just travelled beautifully and I think anyone watching the race wouldn’t have wanted to be on anything else turning for home.

“She had them covered and did it pretty easily in the end.”

Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, The Gift is out of the Dehere mare Trust and is the younger half-sister to four-race winner Super Hoof.

She comes from an extended family that includes dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Fairy King Prawn and Group One winning sprinter, Easy Rocking. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Nzb Insurance Stakes 1400m

Wingatui Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:23.99
1
The Gift
- 3f Power (GB) x Trust (NZ) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: J R Lowry 57
2
1.8
Larpower
- 3f Power (GB) x Larrinka (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: L R Beckett Rdr: C K Kwo 56.5
3
3.1
Ocean Point
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Danger Point (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: C R Barnes 56.5
4
3.9
Showemhowitsdone
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Jaffari (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: T R Moseley 56.5
5
4.2
Sweet Hunter
- 3f Swiss Ace (AUS) x The Nightingale (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: C A Campbell 56.5
6
4.3
Kitty Cugat
- 3f King Cugat (USA) x Scavenger (AUS) (Undoubtedly (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: Ms K Williams 56.5
7
4.4
Fettercairn
- 3f Highly Recommended (AUS) x Princess Halo (NZ) (My Halo (ARG))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: R Cuneen 56.5
8
6.2
Adannaya
- 3f Niagara (AUS) x Elusive Tracy (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: T Jonker 56.5
9
7.0
Lovebug
- 3f Iffraaj (GB) x L'amour (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: K Chowdhoory 56.5
10
7.3
Sooo Dusty
- 3f Power (GB) x Lady Cavalier (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: C W Johnson 56.5
11
8.3
Choux In
- 3f Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Prospect (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: G A Jogoo 56.5
12
11.6
Royal Wings
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Shegra (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: D Champion & K Murphy Rdr: L Callaway 56.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday October 27
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Day 1 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale 375,000 Guineas for August George
Smart two-year-old AUGUST GEORGE topped the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at Park Paddocks when selling for 375,000 guineas to Qatari trainer Gassim Ghazali, one of five lots to realise 200,000 guineas or more.
Tara Talks Racing Podcast Online
We’re talking Cox Plate and whether Bucky can win the Cup, plus Godolphin colts, how can you not, they have had a fabulous spring and it’s not over yet!
First Stakes Win for The Autumn Sun Half-Brother
The Listed Chantilly Grand Prix du Nord (2000m) in France overnight provided a first stakes win for blueblood Dubawi colt Azimpour, the half-brother to Champion Australian 3YO Colt and now G1 sire The Autumn Sun.
Same Race - New Name- $1 million THE MOVE TO STRIKE THOROUGHBRED CLUB STAKES
First run in 1968 and previously featured on Caulfield Cup Day, the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes enters an exciting new era in 2025.
Farnan Filly Wins by Four!
The Mulberry Racing colours were in the frame at Hawkesbury on Tuesday when the Brad Widdup trained Farnan filly Blue Eyed Brigid bolted in as a short priced favourite.
Aussie Bred Sprinter to Run in G1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint This Weekend
Australian spring racing might appear to be the centre of the universe in our neck of the woods, but in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend it is all about the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar in California and an Aussie bred sprinter could be poised to spring an upset.
First Winner for King of Comedy
Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (IRE) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
Maher and Waller Strike at Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale
Champion Australian trainers Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher have been active during the first session of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, which was topped last year by Sir Delius (GB) at 1.3million guineas.
Famous Foal with Coolmore Stud Stakes Connections
The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes this weekend is a race that has developed a deserved reputation as a sire making race and a foal image that arrived to the Breednet Foal Gallery on Monday is a colt with an undeniable connection to this pivotal race for the breeding industry.