New Stakes-Winner Shamexpress - Blue Sky at Night Wins G3 Waikato Cup

Media Release - Saturday December 14

Shamexpress has one of the world's best sprinters in Ka Ying Rising and also a new staying stakes-winner Blue Sky at Night. It may have only been a nose at the finish but it might as well have been a mile for trainer Shelley Hale after Blue Sky At Night took out Saturday’s Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m).

Blue Sky At Night winning Saturday’s Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Blue Sky At Night winning Saturday’s Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Hale, who has battled ill-health in recent years, is one of the most popular figures at the Cambridge training establishment and has rejuvenated the career of the seven-year-old Shamexpress mare who has struck a rich vein of form, winning three of her seven starts since May, before tackling her biggest challenge on Saturday.

Ridden by Tayla Mitchell, who has formed a strong bond with the quirky mare, Blue Sky At Night was content to lob along in midfield before being eased into contention approaching the home bend.

Mitchell started to get busy as the widest runner in a line of five across the track at the 300m, shooting the mare two lengths clear and looking set for a comfortable victory.

No-one told Warren Kennedy aboard second favourite Sassy Lass who finally found clear air and charged after Blue Sky At Night, coming up just a nose short of victory in a thrilling photo finish.

Hale and owner-breeders Alistair and Isabel Barker were ecstatic when the judge announced the official placings after having to hold their breath for several minutes as they waited for word to come through.

“It’s wonderful as we’ve always thought she might be capable of this,” Hale said.

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“It’s a great thrill when you come to a race like this on your home track and just lovely.

“The Barkers are just wonderful and patient as there are not many seven-year-old mares still going around.

“She is a really relaxed horse who can get a little cranky at times, but these days she’s very relaxed.

“Tayla was great as comes and rides work for us and the horses just run for her.”

While the Barkers were ecstatic after the race, they are not strangers to big race success having also bred outstanding galloper Veyron who won 15 races, including four individual Group One victories and more than $1.15 million during his 40 race career.

The 14th stakes-winner for Shamexpress, Blue Sky At Night is the first of just two living foals for Viking Ruler mare After Midnight and has now won six of her 23 starts and more than $234,00 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup (Bm75) Gr3 2400m

Te Rapa Track: Good(4) Time: 2:28.99
1
Blue Sky At Night
- 7m Shamexpress (NZ) x After Midnight (NZ) (Viking Ruler (AUS))
Tnr: Ms S Hale Rdr: Tayla Mitchell 53
2
0.1
Sassy Lass
- 4m Staphanos (JPN) x Artic Breeze (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: W B Kennedy 53
3
1.8
The Odyssey
- 5g Zacinto (GB) x Macavelli Miss (AUS) (Vettori (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56.5
4
2.3
Ess Vee Are
- 6g Shocking (AUS) x Reiveke (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: S R Weatherley 57
5
2.3
Outovstock
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Orphea (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C K Ormsby Rdr: A Lawson-Carroll 54
6
2.8
Nest Egg
- 6g Reliable Man (GB) x Run To The Bank (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M Hashizume 57.5
7
2.8
Enright
- 7g Power (GB) x Katy O'beel (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R S Manning Rdr: K A Myers 53
8
3
Quality Time
- 7g Amaron (GB) x Quintessa (GER) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: Ms K A Hoskin Rdr: G Rooke 58
9
3.5
Testify Me
- 7g Atlante (AUS) x Cherry Bomb (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ms J Millar Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 57
10
3.8
My Maebelline Girl
- 7m Shamoline Warrior (AUS) x Maebelline (NZ) (Istidaad (USA))
Tnr: Ms K A Little Rdr: L H Satherley 53
11
4.3
Pride Of Aspen
- 6m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Flattery (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Hollie Wynyard Rdr: L Sutherland 53
12
9.5
Dodgy One
- 6g Reliable Man (GB) x Bak Da Princess (NZ) (Danske (NZ))
Tnr: D B Hollinshead Rdr: N S Parmar 53
13
14.3
Canheroc
- 7g El Roca (AUS) x Goldie Cantride (NZ) (Colombia (NZ))
Tnr: C J Wood Rdr: S C Spratt 56
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