Kiwi Ida wins Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes
WELLINGTON: The John And Karen Parsonsowned and trained galloper Kiwi Ida added a second stakes win to her tally when she won the group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton yesterday.
The 4yrold mare, who was bought by her trainers as a weanling for $4000, settled towards the rear of the field for jockey Michael Coleman and sat threewide with cover for most of the race before she was set alight at the turn to win by two lengths.
Coleman, who took the ride on the behest of her regular rider Chris Johnson, was full of praise for the daughter of Squamosa after the win despite a luckless run.
‘‘I got there too soon — I got there a mile out,’’ he said.
‘‘The one I was tracking into the corner wasn’t really going much further.
‘‘She’s a lovely mare and has a great nature and gives you a good feel, so she’s going to get more blacktype along the way.
‘‘I’m a bit lucky that Chris Johnson is suspended today, so I got the benefit of the win.
‘‘It’s great to get that jump up from Chris. He’s a great rider and for him to tip me out to ride for someone is a good feeling.’’
Kiwi Ida’s cotrainer, Karen Parsons, was also full of praise for Johnson, but said she was far from confident with her charge’s chances midrace.
‘‘I have to thank Chris Johnson. He does all the work with her and he picked Michael Coleman.
‘‘I was a bit shaky when she was threewide and last,’’ she said.
It was Kiwi Ida’s seventh win from 24 starts and her first stakes victory since winning last year’s Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton.
‘‘I’ve never lost faith in her,’’ Parsons said.
Wingatui mare The Precious one ran a strong race for second. — NZ Racing Desk