The Dennis brothers, Tony, Joe, Ray and Martin, were honoured with the 2016 Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Racing Award and the leading South Island breeders are enjoying the journey their homebred The Chosen One is taking them.
After winning the Group III Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained colt crossed the Tasman to finish a luckless fourth in the Group1 ATC Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 6.
Dropped back to 2000m for Saturday's $160,000 Group III Frank Packer Plate at Randwick, the son of Savabeel was given his chance to display a superior turn of foot under Blake Shinn to defeat Dealmaker (Dundeel) by one and a half lengths with Purple Sector (Pins) a short-neck back in third. (image Steve Hart).
"I thought he was the run of the race in the Derby and was surprised what he was paying today", Forsman said.
"He has been up a long time but he still maturing. He could go to Brisbane but I don't think it would be the right thing to do.
"That would be tempting but hopefully, he's got bigger fish to fry in the Spring. You can't do it everywhere.
"He's a quality bred colt and it was great to see him get his just deserts today."
Shinn also said the win was well-deserved.
"The Derby was a little bit frustrating," he said.
"We were the victim of a wide barrier, we had to take him back. I thought his run was arguably the best run in the race and he brought that form here today. We made another searching run on him but we were coming back 400m in trip so I was mindful of that. He did the job nicely, he is a lovely horse."
The Dennis brother formed a syndicate to race The Chosen One after the son of Savabeel failed to make his $150,000 reserve at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka.
He comes from the famed "The" family, which is synonymous with the Dennis family.
They raced The Chosen One's granddam The Jewel (O'Reilly) who won the 2002 Group1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
The Jewel is the dam of the multiple Group III winner The Diamond One (Tale Of The Cat) and three stakes-placed performers including the Chosen One's dam The Glitzy One (Flying Spur) who won eight races from 1400 metres to 2500 metres and finished second in a Group III.
At this year's NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Gary Moore Racing / Glenvallen Investments paid $150,000 for The Glitzy One's Iffraaj colt than was consigned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
Tragically, he is the final foal of The Glitzy One who was just ten-years-old when she died.
