Checkmate Stakes Goal Plans to Be Decided

Media Release - Sunday January 12

The future prospects for rising star Checkmate continue to be uncertain for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, after the impressive three-year-old trounced his rivals in the Sunday’s Cloudsoft Accounting 1500 at Ellerslie.

Checkmate powering clear to win Sunday's Cloudsoft Accounting 1500 at Ellerslie.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Having just his fifth start, Checkmate entered the three-year-old contest off the back of a defeat to Yaldi and Midnight Edition in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day. Yaldi started a narrow favourite ahead of Checkmate in the re-match, where the former pressed forward to trail Midnight Edition the one-one, while his main rival did the opposite, settling at the back alongside Hinekaha.

Turning for home, Yaldi strode up and took the lead from Midnight Edition, but coming strongly on the inner was Checkmate, who showed a serious turn-of-foot to dash away from the field under Warren Kennedy, with Hinekaha a game second ahead of Yaldi and outsider Fun Never Sets.

After racing closer to the speed in the Guineas, Kennedy was pleased to see a change in tactics pay off on Sunday.

“The plan with him today was to just drop right out and teach him to settle off them, and he did that beautifully,” Kennedy said. “He was very professional.

“The key to this race was there was a decent pace throughout, he was able to come from behind and quicken off that pace. Previously, they’ve slowed it right down and sprinted up the straight, so the wheels have been spinning a bit and he wasn’t able to quicken. Today, he’s been able to quicken and scooted away from them pretty easily.

“He’s a smart horse and he’s got a bright future.”

A winner of the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) two starts back, the victory was Checkmate’s second over 1500m, the distance of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Wexford Stables hold a slot for the inaugural running on March 8, but with the $1.5 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on the same day, which way the gelding will go remains to be seen.

Kennedy expressed his faith towards the in-form training partnership in making that call, however, he did lean towards the Derby when questioned.

“I don’t interfere, they (O’Sullivan and Scott) are flying at the moment, they can’t do anything wrong,” Kennedy said. “Whatever they decide, I’m sure it’ll be the right move.

“But, if it’s anything to go by, my first instinct when riding him the first time was that he was a Derby horse. Could he get to the slot, absolutely, but in my heart, I feel he’s a better Derby horse.”

Advertisement

A delighted Scott shared similar praise in the performance, while indicating no future decisions have been made.

“He quickened really well, he’s had a really good experience of settling in,” Scott said.

“Whether he goes two corners now or goes over the mile, we’ve got decisions to make, but it was really good to see him show a turn of foot over a short distance. He had a bit of a tough trip here in the Guineas on Boxing Day, and with the cover today, he relaxed and that turn of foot was back. 

“We’ll go back and have a board meeting tomorrow morning, we’ll talk to Corrina and Ross (Kearney, owners) who are incredibly patient, they always say the horse must come first.

“We’ll do the best thing by him, whether it’s going further, and Warren’s keen to look a bit further. We’ll see how he pulls up, but either way, there is success in his future.

“He’s got high levels of ability, he’s a big baby. When he turns four, he’s going to be some horse.”

A homebred son of Mongolian Khan, Checkmate races in the colours of the Kearney’s Okaharau Station. He is the fifth foal out of their successful broodmare Signorina, who has also produced Group Two performer Jodelin Gal and Bankers Choice, who placed at Group Two level in Australia.

His five starts have resulted in three wins and two minor placings, and $128,410 in stakes earnings.

In the TAB Futures market for the NZB Kiwi, Checkmate now lies a $10 equal-fourth favourite with Aeliana, just adrift of Evaporate, Savaglee and Damask Rose at $8. In the Derby, the gelding is a $5 second-elect behind Willydoit ($2.80). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Cloudsoft Accounting 3yo 1500m

Ellerslie Track: Good(4) Time: 1:30.17
1
Checkmate
- 3g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Signorina (NZ) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: W B Kennedy 58
2
1.5
Hinekaha
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Hinerangi (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 55
3
1.9
Yaldi
- 3g Ardrossan (AUS) x Luroel (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: M J Mc Nab 59
NZB Karaka Book 2 $50,000
Seller: Little Avondale Stud
Buyer: Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ)
4
2.1
Fun Never Sets
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Its All Fun (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K A Hoskin Rdr: G Rooke 55
5
4.1
Midnight Edition
- 3g Wrote (IRE) x Midnight Gossip (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: B S Wallbank Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 57
6
6.6
Kasukedo
- 3g Lonhro (AUS) x Elegant D'oro (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: M G Forbes Rdr: L H Satherley 58
7
7.1
Soberana
- 3f Ten Sovereigns (IRE) x Chou Chou (NZ) (Pour Moi (IRE))
Tnr: Ms J K Mahoney Rdr: K A Myers 55
More Reading...
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Stakes Win for Bankers Choice Brother
The race now known as the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) is becoming a reliable springboard to bigger and better things for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and that trend looks likely to continue after a smart win by Checkmate at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
$6000 Broodmare a Star Producer
A chance purchase at Karaka has proved to be an outstanding piece of business for Waikato breeders and owners Ross and Corrine Kearney.