Kiwi Ida relishes Manawatu trip
Under-rated southern mare Kiwi Ida scored her biggest career victory when she upset the favourites in the $100,000 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni yesterday.
The John and Karen Parsonsowned and trained five-year-old ($9.80) has been a standout in southern racing, winning 12 of her 39 career starts prior to yesterday, with two at stakes level, including the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton last year.
Yesterday’s contest represented just the second time she had ventured to the North Island following an unplaced run at Trentham as a two-year-old, with punters mostly overlooking her claims for the Group Two feature despite her impressive career record.
Progressive miler Rock On Wood was sent out a warm favourite off the back of a fourrace winning streak and looked to have the contest in safe keeping when he burst to the front early in the run home.
Rider Chris Johnson had been biding his time on Kiwi Ida towards the rear of the field in the early stages and tracked the favourite into the race approaching the home turn.
Johnson angled his mount off the back of Rock On Wood at the 200m and she responded with a sustained burst that carried her to the finish line in front by a head from Rock On Wood, with Shadows Cast and Secret Allure close up behind the pair.
‘‘I got back past midfield but got out at the right time,’’ Johnson said.
‘‘She came into it nicely and I ended up behind the right horse turning in. She found enough to hold him off.
‘‘She’s honest and you just have to look at her record as she hasn’t missed many times.
‘‘She was trained to the minute and although we had a bit of trouble getting up here, she seemed to cope with it.’’ Along with her 13 victories, Kiwi Ida has also been placed on 14 occasions, with six of those in black type company, and has earned just under $393,000.
A full brother to Kiwi Ida will be offered from the Highline Thoroughbreds draft during the National Yearling Sale at Karaka next month.
■ EXCITING prospect Mascarpone sent a clear message to his age group rivals that he will be a force to be reckoned with in any of the upcoming three-yearold features, after he stormed to victory over 1400m at Awapuni.
The Shooting To Win gelding made it three wins in a row with a stunning performance, despite missing the start by a conservative three lengths after rearing as the gates opened.
Rider Ryan Elliot had his hands full in the early stages as Mascarpone fired up on a muddling tempo, but enjoyed an armchair ride in the final 600m as his charge glided around the field approaching the home bend, before unleashing a powerful burst that carried him to a comfortable victory.
Co-trainer Bailey Rogerson was thrilled with the performance, especially given the Team Rogerson-trained galloper had required some farrier work behind the barrier after throwing a rear plate on his way to the start.
‘‘It’s scary to think that what he’s doing now is just pure raw ability so, when he puts it all together, we will look forward to that day,’’ she said.
‘‘He’s a funny horse and nothing really went smoothly.
‘‘Each time he goes to the races though he’s learning.’’’
‘‘I got back past midfield but got out at the right time.’’ Rider Chris Johnson