Kiwi Group Two Winner for Lookin at Lucky

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 31
Our Abbadean completed a stellar black type day at Awapuni for her trainers and jockey with the first stakes victory of her career.

The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-prepared five-year-old was a dashing winner of the Group II City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) in the hands of Danielle Johnson.

Our Abbadean and Five to Midnight fight out the finish - RAce ImagesThe Cambridge-based jockey had earlier claimed the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) on stablemate Avantage and in between times guided Magnum to win in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m).

Johnson subsequently added the Kevin O'Connor & Associates Premier (1550m) aboard Dream Dancer to give trainer Chris Bothwell his first training success in his own right.

"It's been a really good day for all of us," Richards said.

Our Abbadean's success significantly boosted the value of the Wentwood Grange-bred and raced daughter of former Coolmore shuttler Lookin At Lucky (USA), who has now won six of her 22 starts.

"We think the Hawke's Bay Cup will be a nice fit for the mare," Richards said. "We'll discuss all the options with the owners, but that looks a good race for her."

Our Abbadean, who had also won her previous start over 2200m at Trentham, came with a well-timed finish from back in the field to beat Five To Midnight and last year's winner Sampson.

The runner-up was making his first appearance since he was narrowly beaten in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and is now likely to head across the Tasman for a tilt at the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

"He's a genuine two-miler and he's a lot stronger this year," trainer Lisa Latta said.

The 33rd stakes-winner for Lookin at Lucky, Our Abbadean is the best of three winners from Highland Lights, an unraced Fantastic Light daughter of US Group I winner Miss Josh.. – NZ Racing Desk.


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