Underrated sprinter First Five produced a barnstorming finish to capture his first stakes victory when he took out the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Carrying the familiar colours of well-known thoroughbred identity Gerald Shand, the David Greene-prepared five-year-old has been a model of consistency in his career so far although his task on Saturday looked a daunting one with a quality line-up carded for the Group Three feature.
Allowed to start at odds of better than $26 in the 16-horse line-up, First Five was spotting pacemaker Kitty Flash more than ten lengths turning for home after being shuffled back beyond midfield approaching the home turn.
Jockey Lynsey Satherley didn’t panic as Kitty Flash looked the winner halfway down the straight as she shot three lengths clear, with First Five finally seeing clear air as he weaved his way into a gap between runners.
First Five sprouted wings and mowed Kitty Flash down at the 100m, going on to win by more than a length from the late-closing Tuxedo and a brave Kitty Flash who held out race favourite Smart Love for third.
Greene has always held a huge opinion of his charge and despite the hefty price on the tote, was confident a win was on the cards.
“I can’t say it is unexpected to be honest, as we have had a massive rap on this horse for a long time,” Greene said.
“We haven’t seen the best of him yet and he has stamped himself as a real Group One contender.
“There are a few conversations to be had now about whether we are wanting to drop back to 1200m for something like the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m), which is a very hard run 1200m.
“He is just so good at this distance (1400m), I think back here for the sprint (Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint, 1400m) is the big one, but how we get there is the conversation to be had.
“This guy is up with the best horses we have had and it is a pleasure to watch him at trackwork each morning, with the way he goes through his gears.”
Satherley was always confident during the running despite being in an awkward position approaching the home turn.
“He is just so explosive this horse and he just needs the right things going for him,” she said.
“He gives you an amazing feel and the gaps just came for him.
“When he gets through them (the gaps) he just finds and I think he is still untapped and a definite Group One horse.
“I knew the gaps would come today and when they opened I was lucky I had a horse underneath me to take them.”
By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor out of the six-race winner Payette, First Five was bred by Shand who co-owns him along with with Jenna McLeod and Jackie and Philip Rogers.
He has now won six of his 18 starts and over $206,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
