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...
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Maiden Wins G2 Eight Carat
The tag of New Zealand’s best maiden was emphatically stripped from the shoulders of exciting three-year-old Jennifer Eccles when she stormed past her female age group rivals to take out the Group II SKYCITY Eight Carat Classic (1600m) in the hands of visiting rider James McDonald.
Pedigree Watch – Juvenile Stakes-Winners
Three new season juvenile stakes races on Saturday produced a $1million yearling purchase that gave Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside the perfect start to his stud career, a pinhook winner turned stakes-winner and a colt foaled in Australia with a Kiwi pedigree.
McGaw Firms For Coolmore Stud Stakes After G2 Danehill Win
Considered an outside chance in betting markets, Emma-Lee and David Browne’s I Am Immortal gelding McGaw dented the reputation of a few leading Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes contenders with a fighting win in the $300,000 Gr2 VRC Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Media World Adds to Millionaire Yearling Stakes Success
Stakes racing on Saturday produced a number of stakes-winners purchased for seven figures as yearlings in Australia with $1.8million Inglis Easter sale-topper Autumn Glow leading the way in the Group I ATC Epsom after earlier success for $1million 2YO Incognito, while at Flemington $1.4million entire Media World took out the Listed VRC Paris Lane Stakes (1400m).
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Briasa Wins $1million G2 Premiere Stakes- Everest Next
Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile will have a runner in the $20million The Everest and his explosive grey sprinter Briasa will be going into the race in top form following an exciting win at Randwick on Saturday in  the $1million Group I ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 5
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New SW for Rip Van Winkle
On a day where she tasted Group One success with Gaultier in the Levin Classic (1600m) in 2017, Matamata trainer Danica Guy was at it again when she produced Germanicus to take out Group III  Bluestar Anniversary Handicap (1600m).
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.