Thinking big with Kachhi
A comprehensive winning performance at Ellerslie has promising mare Kachhi on the path to an ambitious target next month.
Co-trainer Chris Gibbs has made no secret of the high regard he holds for the Showcasing fouryear-old and he was delighted his charge had backed up those thoughts in Saturday’s Real Time Accounting sponsored rating 65 1600m contest.
‘‘We’ve nominated her for the Avondale Cup, which I know is a big call, but we have a huge opinion of her,’’ he said.
‘‘I told her owners she would have to win today and then she will have to win her next start, but I think she is good enough to do that.
‘‘She is just a beautiful mare.’’ The win certainly would have helped ease any pain owners Mark and Shelley Treweek were feeling after their race favourite Magic Chai, was pulled up after just 300 metres in the previous race when rider Leith Innes mistakenly thought a false start had been declared in the event.
No such drama unfolded for Kachhi who was given a peach of a ride by Danielle Johnson, another rider who had featured in the earlier debacle when dislodged from her mount shortly after the start. Johnson had Kachhi relaxed and travelling easily throughout, albeit well off the steady speed that was being set up front.
Considered unlucky at her previous start when denied clear racing room in the final stages, this time Johnson had Kachhi off the rail and moving into a challenging position early in the rum home.
The gaps appeared as Johnson punched the go button with Kachhi producing an irresistible finish to nail runner-up Lady Shabeel just short of the finishing line.
‘‘I was a little bit worried as the leader had kicked, but then she started to find the line like she did last time,’’ said Gibbs.
‘‘She’s got such a huge stride and Danielle did a great job.’’
Johnson was at her cheeky best when questioned about her racing fortunes on the day.
‘‘It’s been a bit of a mixed emotion day,’’ she said.
‘‘I jumped off the last one and won the one before that. The track is quite firm out there under your butt, so I don’t want to feel it again.’’
On a more serious note, she was taken by the effort of her mount who was notching her second victory at just her fifth race day appearance.
‘‘She’s just going to keep getting better once she gets over more ground,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s been a tough win as she got back a bit, but I got all the splits I needed so we had a bit of luck too.
‘‘She’s probably a class above them in the way she won so there’s more in store for her.’’
Plans are for Kachhi to gain a start in the Avondale Cup (2400m) which will be run at Ellerslie on 1 January.