New SW for Tavistock - Son of Sun Wins G3

Media Release - Wednesday January 1

Progressive stayer Son of Sun continued his golden run at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day when taking out the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) in the hands of in-form hoop Matt Cartwright.

Son of Sun winning the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m).   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The five-year-old son of Tavistock had won four of his six prior starts at the Auckland venue, including the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Qualifier (2100m) last month.

His record on the track didn’t evade punters attention, who backed him into $5.50 favouritism for Wednesday’s staying feature.

Travelling midfield for much of the journey, Son of Sun spotted leader Arby five lengths at the top of the straight, but under the urgings of Cartwright, he was able to reel in his rival to score by a neck.

“He won well, he is a good stayer and hopefully he carries on with it,” said Grant Cooksley, who trains Son of Sun in partnership with Bruce Wallace.

Son of Sun has now won six of his 18 career starts and nearly $340,000 in prizemoney, but Cooksley believes the best is still ahead for the gelding.

“I think he is going to be a little bit better in six months,” he said. “I know he is a five-year-old, but he is a slow-maturing horse, and he has come along very well.”

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A return to Ellerslie for the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on Champions Day in March is an obvious target for Son of Sun, but Cooksley said he hasn’t made any set plans.

“He is nominated (for the Auckland Cup), but we will see what happens,” he said.

Bred by Malway Farm, Son of Sun was purchased by Baiquing Sun out of Cambridge Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $65,000 and is raced by Sun under his New Zealand Gingkosun Investment Ltd banner.

He is the 53rd stakes-winner for much missed Tavistock and is a brother to Group III placed Flash of Dallas being the best of six winners from unraced Tale of the Cat (USA) mare Smoothing,   

The Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) has proven to be a successful race for Cooksley and Grant, who won last year’s running at Pukekohe with Trust In You, who went on to run in last year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The six-year-old gelding finished sixth in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on Wednesday and is also a major player for the Auckland Cup, sharing top billing for the staying feature on the TAB Futures Market at $10 alongside his stablemate and Australian raider Interpretation. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - Queen Elizabeth II Cup Gr3 2400m

Ellerslie Track: Good(4) Time: 2:30.46
1
Son Of Sun
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Smoothing (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 53.5
NZB National Weanling Sale $11,000
Seller: Cambridge Stud
Buyer: Belhus Racing Stables
2
0.3
Arby
- 5g Proisir (AUS) x Reiveke (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: J J Fawcett 53.5
NZB Karaka Book 2 $70,000
Seller: Rich Hill Stud
Buyer: Mr PB Payne
3
0.8
Let Fly
- 6m Raise The Flag (GB) x No Lane Bridge (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: Conor & Sarah Fahy Rdr: S C Spratt 53
4
2.6
Final Return
- 6g Reliable Man (GB) x Kind Return (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Ms J Millar Rdr: C R Barnes 53
5
3.4
Sailor Jack
- 7g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Oceania (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Shaun Fannin & Hazel Schofer Rdr: L H Satherley 53.5
6
4.2
Dionysus
- 7g Ocean Park (NZ) x La Quinta (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: M Hashizume 57.5
7
5
Terra Mitica
- 6m Ulysses (IRE) x Mississippi Delta (USA) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: W B Kennedy 55.5
8
5.1
Nereus
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Eudora (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: Joe Doyle 59
9
5.2
Wolfgang
- 6g Puccini (NZ) x Navy Beach (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Peter & Shaun Mckay Rdr: R Hutchings 58
10
5.5
Blue Sky At Night
- 7m Shamexpress (NZ) x After Midnight (NZ) (Viking Ruler (AUS))
Tnr: Ms S Hale Rdr: Tayla Mitchell 53.5
11
5.5
Nest Egg
- 6g Reliable Man (GB) x Run To The Bank (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55.5
12
7
The Underbelly
- 6g The Bold One (NZ) x Belles A Gem (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Robbie Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
13
8.1
Enright
- 7g Power (GB) x Katy O'beel (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R S Manning Rdr: K A Myers 53
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