Genuine power player
SPEED merchant Gift Of Power will be set a Group One challenge against the older horses in the near future, but the venue has yet to be confirmed.
The slick three-year-old showed she was primed for a tougher test when she continued her winning ways at Awapuni on Saturday in the Mills Reef Premier (1200m).
Gift Of Power was opposed by only two rivals and she had no trouble dealing with them, leading all of the way to score without being fully exerted.
She is part-owned by Bailey Rogerson, who will join her grandfather Graeme and his wife Debbie in partnership on January 1, and her mother Michelle Northcott was in charge at Awapuni.
“It will either be the Railway or the Telegraph, we’ll see what happens,” she said.
She was pig-rooting and squealing this morning, she was a bit above herself.”
That was reflected in Gift Of Power racing keenly in front under Chris Johnson, who had also ridden her to a runaway victory at Trentham at her previous appearance, but it didn’t blunt her acceleration in the straight.
Florence Jean’s challenge was short-lived and Gift Of Power glided clear with Blanco Belle the last of the trio.
“She’s a lively sort of horse that just loves to run,” the champion jockey said.
“We landed in front and she wanted to go harder, but she still found a kick at the 300 and she had a wee bit more left.”
A daughter of Power and the Group One performer Capital Diamond, Gift Of Power was bred by Sir Patrick and Justine Lady RACE IMAGES Hogan, who have remained in the ownership.
Cambridge Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka on January 28 will fea- ture a half-brother (Lot 88) by Per Incanto. ● David Ellis has enjoyed a golden year with his Karakasourced army of black type success stories.
The Te Akau principal further added to his record at Awapuni on Saturday when the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richardstrained Splurge triumphed in the Gr.2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).
“That’s the 20th Group or Listed winner we’ve had in this calendar year, all of which I’ve bought at Karaka,” Ellis said.
“Steve and Jamie have trained them all, including six Group One wins.”
Te Akau also made their mark in Europe with Torcedor, a son of Fastnet Rock, successful in the Gr.3 Vintage Crop Stakes (2800m) in Ireland.
On Saturday, Splurge won for the eighth time in his career courtesy of another polished display from rider Michael McNab.
“He’s one of the most improved jockeys in New Zealand, he’s in super form,” Ellis said.
Splurge settled close to a good speed and when McNab asked him for an effort he quickly put the issue beyond doubt.
“He deserved that after the other day,” said McNab, referring to a narrow last-start defeat in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m). “It was heart-breaking when Hiflyer caught me.”
Splurge will now be prepared for the Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 20.