Super Seth 3YO Salutes for Baker

Media Release - Saturday June 28

A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s burgeoning record.

The New Zealand-bred three-year-old gelding has now had six starts for four wins and two seconds, earning A$184,400 for his big group of owners.

Puntin (closest to the rail) digs deep to win the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap at Rosehill Gardens.   Photo: Bradley Photos

Puntin stepped up to 1400m on Saturday after a narrow last-start defeat over 1250m at Canterbury on June 9. Drawn gate seven in a nine-horse field, Puntin was pushed forward by jockey Ash Morgan and quickly took up the lead. He never relinquished that position, digging deep when challenged in the straight and holding on to score a tough win by a short neck.

“I was open to taking a sit today, but they put me into a position where had to grab the bull by the horns a little bit,” Morgan said. “Luckily, when he was there, he relaxed for me really well.

“I felt like I was going to be vulnerable late because of that work in the first furlong, but he is an incredibly tough horse with a lovely attitude. He kept sticking his head out.”

Puntin brought up the 150th win of a career-best season for expat New Zealand trainer Bjorn Baker.

Advertisement

“It's never easy to win on a Saturday and I think there is more in store for Puntin, he has a great winning record,” Baker said. “He was tough and it was a good ride. I still think the best is yet to come, once we get him up over a bit further.”

Puntin was bred by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, who also raced the gelding’s Caulfield Guineas-winning sire Super Seth. Now standing at Waikato Stud, Super Seth has made an enormous impact this year with Group One-winning progeny Feroce, Linebacker, La Dorada and Maison Louis.

Puntin is out of the winning Encosta De Lago mare Stella Grace, who is a full-sister to the stakes winner Risk Aversion and a half-sister to the multiple Group Two winner Shania Dane. Three-quarter-sister Subsequent is the dam of Group One winner Summer Passage.

Haunui Farm offered Puntin during Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock bought him for $60,000. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Captivant @ Kia Ora (Bm72) 1400m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:23.59
1
Puntin
- 3g Super Seth (AUS) x Stella Grace (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Ashley Morgan 58.5
2
0.3
Don't Forget Jack
- 3g Headwater (AUS) x Innishbeg (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel & Rob Archibald Rdr: Braith Nock 58
3
0.6
Maori Chief
- 3g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Heatherly (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Penza 58.5
4
0.9
Fiddlers Green
- 4g Merchant Navy (AUS) x Peppermint Patty (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel & Rob Archibald Rdr: Anna Roper 58
5
0.9
Sly Boots
- 4g Toronado (IRE) x Miss Softhands (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Zac Wadick 57
6
1.5
Tasoraay
- 3g Tassort (AUS) x Parraay (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Benjamin Osmond 55.5
7
1.7
Soldier Of Rome
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x Bennetta (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Molly Bourke 60.5
8
1.9
Hellbent On You
- 4m Hellbent (AUS) x Double Dream (FR) (Lawman (FR))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: William Stanley 56.5
9
2.8
Northern Eyes
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Sexy Eyes (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: Jace McMurray 59
More Reading...
Promising Ole Kirk 3yo Regal Award Simply Too Good
Improving off a last start fifth behind Space Rider over 1200m at Moonee Valley, the Phillip Stokes trained Regal Award didn’t disappoint as the race favourite in Sportsbet BlackBook Plate (1300m) on the Sandown Hillside course on Wednesday, scoring with ease.
Are You Sending a Mare to Cogburn?
Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded on Tuesday with the rise of exciting young sire Not This Time as a big player on the world stage well and truly illustrated with 22 of his yearlings selling at an average $805,682.
Karaka Graduates Honoured at New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards
The champions of New Zealand’s 2024-25 season were crowned during the Horse of the Year Awards in Hamilton on Sunday night, where four Karaka graduates were named the standouts of their respective categories.
Trainers Rewarded with Continued NZB Ready to Run Series
With the continued long-term support of Majestic Horse Transport and Dunstan Horsefeeds, NZB is pleased to announce that the Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will return for its sixth edition this season, kicking off on Saturday at two venues. ? 
Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale-Topper Salutes
Bought by Yulong for $700,000 to top the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale last year, three year-old Justify (USA) colt Officiate opened his account with a determined win in testing conditions at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica
A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
I Am Invincible Stallion Chasing Black Type in NZ
Tardelli has the looks to match his rich pedigree, and his upcoming preparation will be focussed on adding a top level performance to boost his future stallion prospects.
Break Through Win for Promising Pierro Stayer
Placed in the Group I New Zealand Derby behind Willydoit, talented young stayer Golden Century has been long overdue to break through for a maiden win and he got the job done at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Debut Farnan Winner for Pencarrow Stud
Three-year-old filly Passiflora showed promise at the trials and transferred that potential into raceday success when scoring on debut in the NZ Horse Ambulance 970 at Cambridge on Wednesday.
Keeneland September Record Breaking Book 1 Concludes
Trade at Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued the enthusiasm for Thoroughbred racing prospects shown during Monday’s opening day with nearly $75 million in sales and a September Sale record session average of $675,180 and median of $550,000. Twenty yearlings sold for $1 million or more to set a Day 2 session record.