Ellerslie win sets Kachhi a big goal
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 4-year-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 would have helped eased any pain owners Mark and Shelley Treweek felt after their race favourite Magic Chai was pulled up after 300m in the previous race when rider Leith Innes mistakenly thought a false start had been declared.
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.
The gaps appeared as Johnson punched the go button, producing an irresistible finish to nail 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 taken by the effort of her mount, who was notching her second victory at just her fifth raceday appearance. “She’s just going to keep getting better once she gets over more ground,” she said.
“She’s probably a class above them in the way she won so there’s more in store for her.”
The win will garner valuable rating points for the mare as she looks to gain a start in the group two Laser Plumbing Te Puke Avondale Cup (2400m) which will be run at Ellerslie on January 1.