Kiwi Connections Celebrate Justacanta Flemington Stakes Success

Media Release - Sunday October 3

A thrilling victory by Justacanta in Saturday’s Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1410m) at Flemington saw the successful culmination of a plan hatched by trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy after the now eight-year-old had completed his summer campaign in March this year.

Justacanta wins the Listed Paris Lane Stakes - image Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

A model of consistency over his 47 New Zealand starts, where he won six races and was placed a further 20 times, including at Group Three level, the son of Per Incanto had reached an awkward place in the handicaps with his owners of the opinion there were limited options left for him on the local scene.

An opportunity to transfer him to the Patrick Payne stable in Melbourne was taken up with the goal of trying to win at stakes level in the competitive Victorian market.

A solid run for sixth at Sandown in just his second-up run provided hope that a victory was close at hand and so it proved on Saturday as rider Dean Yendall kept Justacanta under wraps behind horses before exploding clear in the final stages to win easing down by half a length at the line.

The win set off mass celebrations in the Clotworthy household as they cheered their pride and joy home from the comfort of their living room.

“It was pretty special alright,” Shaun Clotworthy said.

“The race was the last on the card at around eight o’clock, so we had settled into the living room for the night to watch some rugby.

“When we saw him going so well just in behind them the excitement levels rose and when he burst to the lead the yelling and screaming went up a few volumes.

“It is very satisfying that the plan we had has come off as we knew there wasn’t much for him over here anymore and we felt there was still some juice left in him.

“I think the easing of the ground yesterday helped and it was a lovely ride as there was plenty of speed on and he didn’t expose him until late in the piece.

“He’s not very big but he has an electric turn of foot and was going away from them at the post, although he was up to his normal tricks and wanted to knock off a bit when he hit the front.”

Now that he has found form, Clotworthy is keen to see what Payne has planned next for Justacanta.

Advertisement

“Patrick has done a really good job with him,” he said.

“We had a very quick chat after the race and I think he is looking at a mile on Cox Plate day as his next run.

“I’m not sure whether Moonee Valley is his best track, but the beauty of the set-up over there is that you are spoiled for choice at this time of the year.

“There are so many options, all for good money, so we will wait and see what Patrick tells us once the horse has had a few days to get over this run.”

While the Clotworthy’s couldn’t be in Melbourne to witness the win first-hand, they were also feeling frustration like most Aucklanders who are unable to travel outside the region due to COVID19 restrictions.

“We’re doing it tough like everyone else around here at the moment with all the restrictions,” Clotworthy said.

“Not being able to travel to racemeetings with your horses is a terrible situation and puts a lot of pressure on us all.

“We put four on the float to Te Aroha today for the Great Northern meeting and had to wave them goodbye as they went out the gate.

“It is getting to the point where it isn’t feasible to keep going the way it is, not only is it playing havoc with your mental wellbeing, it also is putting pressure on other areas.

“You are actually very limited in what type of horse and how many you can send to the races, with the need to have staff or stand-ins handling them at the other end and we are very mindful of not sending some horses who can get fractious or need special handling.

“It really is a struggle and you can only hope it is going to change as quickly as possible.” – NZ Racing Desk

Visit the profile page for Per Incanto

Per Incanto in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Paris Lane Stakes LR 1410m

Flemington Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:24.00
1
Justacanta
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Just Casual (NZ) (Casual Lies (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: D Yendall 54
2
0.5
Just Folk
- 5g Magnus (AUS) x Fast Ruby (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: Joshua Julius Rdr: Dean Holland 54
3
1.3
Mystery Shot
- 5g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Mystique (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Declan Bates 54
4
1.4
Tavidance
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Zadancer (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Newitt 55
5
1.8
Morvada
- 8g Mossman (AUS) x Carnegie Minstrel (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: P W Jolly Rdr: Damian Lane 57.5
6
1.9
Aysar
- 4h Deep Field (AUS) x Miss Interiors (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: Jye McNeil 59.5
7
3.4
Crosshaven
- 4g Smart Missile (AUS) x Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: L Nolen 59.5
8
3.6
Gaulois
- 7g Street Cry (IRE) x Celts (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 59.5
9
3.7
Samizdat
- 6g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Sambar (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C & M Gangemi Rdr: M J Dee 59
10
5.2
Sirius Suspect
- 7g Wanted (AUS) x Sirius Miss (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Saab Hasan Rdr: Damien Thornton 57
11
5.7
Mr Tipla
- 7g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Sangiovese (NZ) (Chianti (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 54
12
11.7
Bonham
- 4m Per Incanto (USA) x Fortune's Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ms L J Meech 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.