Sensational three-year-old Pivotal Ten made it five wins in a row and importantly, three black type contests in succession, when she bolted clear to take out the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m).
The flashy daughter of Ten Sovereigns went into the Invercargill feature event off the back of comprehensive victories in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) and Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and was confidently expected to prove too tough for her age-group rivals on Saturday.
It was doubtful however that the many supporters who backed her into a red hot $1.40 favourite expected her to completely demolish her opponents by a margin of more than eight lengths after leading from barrier rise for trainer and rider Samantha Wynne.
Wynne wasn’t afraid to hunt her mount to the front and set up a steady speed before putting the peddle down with 600m to run.
Pivotal Ten responded brilliantly as she raced clear rounding the home bend with Wynne having plenty of time to ease off the throttle at the 150m as she coasted home in a smart 1.21.70 for the 1400m journey.
Wynne had exuded plenty of confidence in her chances before the race and was thrilled her filly could deliver upon her wishes.
“It means so much to me as so much work goes in through all my team at home,” Wynne said.
“I am just delighted and very lucky to have a horse like her.
“She is still only learning as she is trucking along and getting to know her racing, so she might even improve from here.
“You can’t buy this feeling and I’m just blessed to have her.”
Wynne has her eyes on another stakes mission with her charge which will involve a trip to the lower North Island or even a possible shot at the NZ$3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) if invited.
“I’ve got my eye on the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) as long as she is happy and healthy,” she said.
“If someone called (about the NZB Kiwi) we would have to consider it as you would be mad not to as we would be proud to represent the South.
“I’m not sure we know just what grade of horse we are up to beating but we will know more when she gets to Wellington.”
Pivotal Ten was bred by Valachi Downs and sold through their dispersal sale in 2022, where Colin Wightman purchased the filly for $15,000. In seven starts, she has recorded five wins and just over $197,000 in stakes earnings. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
