Ashrun Makes Triumphant Return in Pakenham Cup

Mark Smith - Friday March 15

Ashrun (FR) led home a 1-2 for Australian Bloodstock when breaking a drought dating back to the 2020 Hotham Handicap. He proved the superior stayer in Friday night’s $300,000 Listed Sportsbet Pakenham Cup (2500m).

A top-class stayer (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Ridden by  Mark Zahra for Ciaron Maher, the 8-year-old son of Authorized travelled sweetly midfield on the fence as the AJC Australian Derby winner Major Beel led the field through brutal fractions. Switched off the fence before turning for home, Ashrun collared the tiring Major Beel at the 200m before safely holding the challenge of the 6-year-old Gleneagales gelding Glentaneous by one and three-quarter lengths with the 7-year-old Fiorente gelding Don't Doubt Dory two lengths back in third.

Advertisement

When trained by Andreas Wohler,  Ashrun won the 2020 Group III Hotham Handicap before finishing midfield in the Melbourne Cup, which Twilight Payment (IRE) won.

He came out of the race with a severe tendon injury, and when he appeared 149 weeks later, he was in the stable of Ciaron Maher.

The son of Epsom Derby hero Authorized showed he was back to near his best with a gallant fourth in last year's Melbourne Cup.

The Roy Higgins Stakes is likely the immediate target, but the Pakenham Cup hero also holds an entry for the Group 1 Sydney Cup at Randwick.

With his third stakes victory, Ashrun advances his record to five wins, three seconds, and a third with earnings of $1,116,319.

A half-brother to the German Group II winner Ashiana (Mastercraftsman), Ashrun (FR) won the Group III Deauville Prix de Reux and was Group 1 placed in Europe. He arrived in Australia off a second in the Group II Prix Kergorlay.  

He is one of four winners from eight to race out of the Group III winning Areion mare Ashantee.

A long time between drinks (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Advertisment

Race Result - Sportsbet Pakenham Cup LR 2500m

Pakenham Track: Good(4) Time: 2:37.06
1
Ashrun
- 8g Authorized (IRE) x Ashantee (GER) (Areion (GER))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: M Zahra 58
2
1.8
Glentaneous
- 6g Gleneagles (IRE) x Spontaneous (IRE) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Damian Lane 54
3
3.8
Don't Doubt Dory
- 7g Fiorente (IRE) x Doubt No More (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: J R Welsh Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
Fiorente
4
4
Mystery Island
- 7g Victoire Pisa (JPN) x Mystique (GER) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: Shane Jackson Rdr: H Coffey 54
5
4.2
Glitter 'N' Gold
- 5m Choisir (AUS) x Gold Lottey (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Tom Madden 54
6
7.7
Dunkel
- 4g Dundeel (NZ) x Kudamm (AUS) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 60
7
7.8
Major Beel
- 4g Savabeel (AUS) x Gram (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
8
8.2
Noble Knight
- 6g Ghibellines (AUS) x Flight Arrival (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: Sandra Cunningham Rdr: M J Dee 54
9
11.4
Kirkeby
- 6g Kermadec (NZ) x Oriental Lady (GER) (Doyen (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 54
10
15.4
Herman Hesse
- 7g Frankel (GB) x Dream Peace (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 54
11
15.7
Loft
- 6g Adlerflug (GER) x Labrice (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Melham 58.5
12
50.7
Think 'N' Fly
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Gliding (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D M Noonan Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
More Reading...
Alabama Lass Primed for G1 Moir
Tackling Group Ones on either side of the Tasman is nothing new for Ken and Bev Kelso, and they will do exactly that this weekend.
Consecutive Wins As Cantiamo Defeats The Boys
With 60kgs on her back against the boys, it’s clearly evident there are bigger and better things ahead for the Kris Lees trained Cantiamo as the 3yo daughter of Too Darn Hot went back-to-back, winning the Precise Air Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm.
Engine of War Wins for MyRacehorse at Sandown
VRC Derby aspirant Engine Of War made a winning Australian debut from the quarters of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday over 1500m.
G3 Tibbie Next for Tuileries
Lightly raced So You Think mare Tuileries has long promised to measure up to stakes class and will be given that opportunity next start after returning to top form to win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Almanzor Mare Salutes for Cambridge Stud
Daring Dame broke through for an elusive win when taking out the Kensington Tavern 1200 at Ruakaka on Wednesday.
Ashrun Claims a Spot in Melbourne Cup
The Andreas Wohler-trained Ashrun (FR) earned a place in the field for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup with a last stride win in the Group II Lexus Hotham Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Sunlight’s Sister Clean Energy Retired
The most expensive yearling filly sold in Australia in 2023 when fetching $2.6million for Widden Stud at Inglis Easter, Clean Energy has been retired to stud.
NZB Filly of the Year Series Springs to Life with Gold Trail Stakes
One of the traditional signs that spring racing has arrived in New Zealand is the running of the first leg of the NZB Filly of the Year Series, the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). The $150,000 race looks a little different this year in a temporary new home, but it will still give us that same first look at the latest crop of fillies vying for the coveted title.
Vivid Sun Shines Bright At Sandown
Recording her second win in as many starts, 3yo The Autumn Sun filly Vivid Sun looked something special as she resumed from a spell at Sandown to trounce her rivals by more than two lengths on Wednesday, signalling a step up to black type races during the Spring.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday September 3
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.