Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
With a spirited late bid, Sadhbh (5 m Darci Brahma – Giant Mystique, by Giant’s Causeway) broke through for a well-deserved win in the $25,000 Shipzappy.com Maiden 1500 metres on 14 September at Te Rapa.
Sadhbh is bred and owned by award winning racing photographer Trish Dunell, and patiently prepared by Ballymore Racing trainer Pam Gerard.
Debuting as a three-year-old after close thirds in two trials, Sadhbh was put aside for a lengthy spell to mature and grow into her sizeable frame, and indicated the break had worked wonders when resuming with three solid placed performances before an all-important win.
Ridden by Opie Bosson, who sits on 99 Group One wins, Sadhbh received an economical trip three back on the inner, tracked up behind the leaders turning for home, and switched to the inside with a strong finish near the rail to snatch the win.
Scoring by a nose, Sadhbh ran 1500 metres in 1:36.1, last 600m in (37.0 approx.) on Heavy9 footing and as worthy race favourite she paid $2.80 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote.
“She probably needed blinkers on, which we put on her today, but you won’t see the best of her until she steps up to 2000 metres,” Gerard said.
“Opie (Bosson) said he was niggling her along the whole way, but once he gave her one behind the saddle she took off.
“She needs a better track, too, but the weather has been pretty wet up here in the North, and she’s been toughing it out to place on Heavy10 tracks. Michael McNab rode her here last time when the track was Heavy8 and said she was able to quicken better.
“The ability’s always been there, but she’s been such a big filly and mare we’ve just had to wait for her.
“She’s learning to settle and run on, so working it out to be a racehorse. She’s still got some filling out to do, but come the autumn I think she’ll be pretty competitive in some nice races up in trip.
“I’m really pleased to have won a race for Trish (Dunell). She’s bred a really nice mare from a lovely family and just loves her horses to bits.”
Sadhbh became the fifth individual winner for dam Giant Mystique, whose progeny have won 22 races, and include NZ Champion Stayer (Sir) Charles Road (Myboycharlie), winner of the Chairman’s Quality (Gr. 2, 2600m), Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m), Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m), and three times Group One placed. The mare also produced seven-time winner Cavallo Veloce (O’Reilly), who stakes placed five times.
The family runs deep, with grand-dam Kristique (Kris S) producing Singapore Horse of the Year War Affair (O’Reilly), who was also Champion Two, Three, and Four-Year-Old and Champion Miler in Singapore.
While third dam Nastique (Naskra) won four Grade One races during her racing career (1986 – 89) in the USA: Delaware Handicap (twice), Ladies Handicap, and Matriarch Stakes, with over US$800,000 in prize money.
Now with a confidence boosting win on the board at her seventh start, Sadhbh has the ability to progress in grade, and the bloodlines to be well sought after as a broodmare.
Sadhbh was strapped by Alannah Reid, who rides her in track work.
In race three on the card, stable-mate Step In Time (5 g Time Test – Caradonna, by Don Eduardo) showed a return to form with a strong performance for second in the Rating 75 2200 metres.
Owned by Deirdre Neville-White MNZM, Step In Time has previously won twice to 2200 metres in the hands of stable apprentice Joe Nishizuka (a3), who again gave him a lovely ride just behind the pace.