Canty raider snatches Gold Cup
Visiting Canterbury galloper Pendleton came of age at Wingatui on Saturday when she downed her mainly older rivals to take out the Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m).
The lightly raced four-year-old was having just her ninth start, and first run since a win over 2100m at Timaru in late December, when she stepped up to tackle stakes company for the first time in the time-honoured contest.
Racing in the distinctive gold colours and navy blue cap of her owner, Valachi Downs Stud principal Kevin Hickman, the mare enjoyed an economical trip as leading rider Samantha Collett settled her nicely beyond midfield. Collett got moving on Pendleton with 900m to run as she looped the field and she held out a stern challenge by fellow Canterbury raider Aspen Lass.
Co-trainer Shane Kennedy, who prepares Pendleton with partner Anna Furlong, was delighted after gambling on tackling the black-type event.
‘‘She’s very promising and has progressed quickly over the last twelve months,’’ he said. ‘‘She only won her maiden in October so to take out a race like this at just her ninth start is a top effort.
‘‘She won well over ground at Timaru, so we had a look around to see what was coming up that would suit.’’
The victory proved a tonic for n Hickman who suffered the misfortune of having to retire multiple Group One placegetter Savile Row after the Makfi entire suffered a paddock accident on Friday.
The day got even better for Hickman when consistent performer Los Cabos picked up her second career victory with a win over 1600m giving winning rider Collett a treble.
● A clean sweep of southern black type three-year-old features remains alive for the connections of Excelleration. The filly was untested to claim the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) a fortnight ago for trainer Nigel Tiley and she subsequently joined the Kennedy/furlong barn for the remainder of her stay.
Excelleration made a winning debut from her new Riccarton quarters on Saturday when she was again too good for her rivals in the Dunedin Guineas (1500m).
The daughter of Exceed And Excel was reunited with jockey Sam Collett, who had ridden her to victory at Ruakaka before the filly embarked on her road trip, but had to pass the reins to Kylie Williams at Gore.
● Meanwhile Shane Anderton who trains with his father Brian, gained a hugely satisfying win in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight-for-age (1600m) with Tommy Tucker trying to win at his fourth attempt.
‘‘He really deserved that, he’s just been so honest for years – he’s a nine-year-old, but he doesn’t know it,’’ Anderton said.