Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Deserving of success, Khando (5 m Mongolian Khan – Evens, by Pins) won the $25,000 NZB Mega Maiden Series 2200 metres on 26 November at Te Aroha.
In addition to the winning stake ($14,375), the owners won an extra $20,000 and trainer Pam Gerard received $5,000, as part of the Mega Maiden Series.
In February at Te Aroha, Gerard trained Jade Dragon (Time Test) to win the $25,000 NZB Mega Maiden Series 1150 metres, and along with the owners collected their respective bonuses.
The New Zealand Bloodstock and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing initiative, supported by Entain/TAB, is available to horses purchased at Karaka that enter for the Karaka Million Series.
The $1m in bonuses is made up of 40 $25,000 Mega Maiden Bonus races each season across New Zealand.
Bred by Pat Lowry, from the family of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (Pins), Khando was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased by Ballymore Stables for $35,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge.
It is also the family of Pinmedown (Pins), purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and trained by Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard to win the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m).
Khando is by dual Horse of the Year and Champion Stayer Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor), who recorded Group One wins in the NZ Derby, ATC Derby, and Caulfield Cup.
Taking time to mature, Khando had placed with good performances at her last three starts and given a sniff of victory, she would not be denied on this occasion.
Ridden by promising apprentice jockey Hayley Hassman (a3), who reduced the weight impost to 53.5kg, Khando was given a gorgeous trip in fourth, lifted to level at the 300m, and kept her head in front of closest rival Honor Mission (Tarzino).
“We got the tempo to suit and rolled into it, which we didn’t get last time when I rode her, and it worked out perfectly today,” Hassman said.
“She’s been there or thereabouts lately and just needed things to go her way. There’s a lot more there and definitely more improvement to come.”
On Good3 footing, Khando ran 2200 metres in 2:16.1, last 600m in 36.2 (approx.), and paid $4.40 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.
Wearing the Savvy Racing silks, Khando is owned by Savvy Racing Magpies Syndicate (Mgr: Keith McDonald), M & W Bloomfield, R Cusin, J Gray, A Hayne, D Lean, J Hayne, A Mathieson, Mrs J & R Turner, and Ballymore Racing NZ Ltd.
“It’s a pretty special win and the owners have been very patient,” Gerard said. “It’s just shows that good things come to those who wait.
“It’s a family that takes a long time to mature and although there have been times when we thought of pulling the pin, I guess, deep down, I knew she had something there in order to win.
“Hayley (Hassman) rode her two starts ago, too, and really got her going. She’s been inclined to button off between the 800m – 600m, but she’s managed to iron that out and she’s really travelling into it now and getting the job done. I think she can now go on with it for the owners.”
Khando was strapped by Samur Singh.