Stakes Goals for Charm Spirit 2YO Filly

Media Release - Monday December 20

Owned by Swettenham Stud, juvenile filly Pacific Dragon broke through for her maiden win in the Dunstan Recovery Mash 1000 at Pukekohe on Monday, cementing her path towards the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie next month.

The daughter of Charm Spirit jumped well for jockey Michael McNab but was pressured throughout by $1.20 favourite Time Flies.

Pacific Dragon (inside) gets up over Time Flies at Pukekohe on Monday. Photo: Trish Dunell

The two entered continued their dogfight down the home straight, opening several lengths on the rest of the field, but Pacific Dragon showed her tenacity when holding on for a short-margin victory.

Pacific Dragon had finished runner-up in her two previous starts and trainer Tony Pike was delighted to see her score on Monday carrying the silks of owners Swettenham Stud.

“She has improved after a short break. She has come back a stronger filly,” Pike said.

“Barrier one was an advantage and she has done the job well against a highly rated two-year-old (Time Flies).”

Stakes targets now beckon the exciting filly, with the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and the Karaka Million 2YO her next two assignments.

“She is entered for the Karaka Million,” Pike said.

“Swettenham Stud would like to get some black-type if possible, so we will just see how she pulls up.

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“If she comes through the run really well there is a chance she could run in the Eclipse Stakes.

“She was pretty professional going right-handed today. It is only 11 days so she won’t do a lot between now and New Year’s Day.”

Pacific Dragon was purchased by Ballarat trainer Henry Dwyer out of Windsor Park Stud’s 2021 Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $70,000.

Later on the card, Pike secured a stable double when Precious Colours took out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m).

“She was a bit weak last prep. She was knocking on the door but wasn’t finishing her races off,” Pike said.

“She has taken a long time to mature but it was a dominant win today.

“She will get some confidence out of that and hopefully continues to improve.” – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Dunstan Recovery Mash Mdn 1000m

Pukekohe Park Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:00.77
1
Pacific Dragon
- 2f Charm Spirit (IRE) x Daring (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55.5
2
0.2
Time Flies
- 2g Time Test (GB) x Rorippa (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
3
4.5
Ala Di Vespa
- 2g Vespa (NZ) x Dare To Dream (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: D A Walker Rdr: M Hashizume 55.5
4
5.6
Waitak
- 2c Proisir (AUS) x Repo Bay (NZ) (Shocking (AUS))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: A J Calder 57.5
5
5.9
Fairshare
- 2f Contributer (IRE) x Shebang (NZ) (Le Bec Fin (NZ))
Tnr: K W Hawtin Rdr: T Yanagida 54.5
6
6.2
French Rose
- 2f Burgundy (NZ) x Paraiba (NZ) (Faltaat (USA))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: D S Johnson 55.5
7
11.2
Dear John Lincoln
- 2g Wrote (IRE) x Kylemore Abbey (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 57.5
8
12.9
Haast
- 2c Tivaci (AUS) x Bird (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: Ms S Houston Rdr: B E Grylls 57.5
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