Karaka Graduate wins Dunedin Gold Cup

Media Release - Sunday February 4
Visiting Canterbury galloper Pendleton came of age at Wingatui on Saturday when she downed her mainly older rivals with a dominant performance to take out the Listed Fire & Mechanical Contracting Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m).

The lightly raced four-year-old was having just her ninth start, and first run since a win over 2100m at Timaru in late December, when she stepped up to tackle stakes company for the first time in the time-honoured contest.

Racing in the distinctive gold colours and navy blue cap of her owner, Valachi Downs Stud principal Kevin Hickman, the Rip Van Winkle mare enjoyed an economical trip in the early stages of the race as leading rider Samantha Collett settled her nicely beyond midfield.

Pendleton - Wild Range PhotographyCollett got moving on Pendleton with 900m to run as she looped the field to join issue on the point of the home bend. Kicked to the front by Collett, the mare was resolute to the finish as she held out a stern challenge by fellow Canterbury raider Aspen Lass to score comfortably by more than two lengths at the line.

Co-trainer Shane Kennedy, who prepares Pendleton with partner Anna Furlong, was delighted by the performance after taking the gamble to tackle the black-type event.

"She's very promising and has progressed quickly over the last twelve months," he said.

"She only won her maiden in October so to take out a race like this at just her ninth start is a top effort.

"She won well over ground at Timaru, so we had a look around to see what was coming up that would suit. There wasn't really anything as we didn't want to go to the West Coast circuit, so we took a punt for this one.

"She had a trial in January to keep her up to the mark and today she showed what she is capable of, courtesy of a very heady ride by Sam Collett."

Furlong indicated that he was looking further afield with the mare before she went for a winter break.

"I was having a chat with Jonathan Scully from Valachi Downs last night and we think a race like the St. Leger at Trentham next month would suit her," he said.

"We're mindful of not over-taxing her as I think she won't be at her best until she turns five, so if she does go to Wellington she would most likely go for a spell after that.

"She's an exciting prospect."

Bought for $28,000 from Haunui Farm's draft at the 2014 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, Pendleton has now had nine starts for four wins, two placings and $72,950 in prizemoney.


The victory proved a tonic for owner Kevin Hickman who suffered the misfortune of having to retire multiple Group One placegetter Savile Row after the Makfi entire suffered a paddock accident on Friday.

The day got even better for Hickman when consistent performer Los Cabos picked up her second career victory with a win over 1600m in the last race on the card, in the process giving winning rider Samantha Collett a treble. – NZ Racing Desk


Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 5
Here is the full list of 24 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G2 Winning Mare chasing G1 Success
Classy mare Val Di Zoldo will have the opportunity to test her talents at the highest level this term after resuming with a tidy trial at Taupo on Monday.
Aussie Globetrotting Mare Now Calls Woodside Home
Woodside Park have released a list of their quality mares set to visit new recruit Celestial Legend this spring and one of them is Aussie bred Group II winner Nafaayes, who produced a promising 2YO winner overnight in the UK.
Zoustar's Breeders Cup Winner Starlust Arrives at Riverstone
Zoustar’s Breeders Cup winner Starlust has arrived at his new home, Riverstone Lodge in the Hunter Valley with the stud posting video of his arrival.
Te Akau Shark Ready for Aussie Debut
Exciting New Zealand galloper Te Akau Shark will kick-off his spring campaign in Australia on Saturday where he will contest the Group II Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in front of some of his local owners, including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Captain Paul Gallen.
Zoustar 7YO on Comeback Trail
Joliestar is not the only good Zoustar carrying the colours of Cambridge Stud as Lance Noble has his eye on a major early season prize with one of the few older members of his stable.
Road to the Caulfield Cup Starts Here
An exciting field is beginning to take shape for Caulfield’s biggest day, with nominations now closed for the 149th edition of the $5 million Sportsbet Caulfield Cup. The countdown is officially on for 146 hopefuls and their connections chasing Cup glory.  
Subpoenaed Too Strong in the Millie Fox Stakes
Making her first start since disappointing in the Golden Eagle last October, the Chris Waller-trained Subpoenaed bounced back to form in Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
Breednet Distance Sire Tables Highlight Some Home Truths
The end of season is a great time to look back and assess what has happened in terms of sire results and what may happen in the future and more importantly what all of that might mean for Australian racing.
First foal Arrives for Mo’Unga
The Kelly family of Newhaven Park have taken an educated gamble on champion New Zealand sire Savabeel and have already struck paydirt with exciting young sire Cool Aza Beel siring Group I winning 2YO Cool Archie and now it’s time for Mo’Unga to make his mark.