Matchmaker’s timely victory at Randwick
Former New Zealand-trained filly Matchmaker added some all-important Australian black-type when coming with a well-timed run under expat Kiwi James McDonald to land the Group III Bell Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The daughter of Makfi crossed the Tasman as the winner of two races, including the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) for trainers Nick Wigley and Kayla Milnes.
Now in the care of Chris Waller, the filly is partowned by Indian-born Sydneysider Manoj Wanzare.
Working with Australia-based Kiwi bloodstock agent Andrew Williams, Wanzare was able to negotiate a deal that saw him take a half-share in Matchmaker with her breeders Gus and Bianca Wigley of Inglewood Stud.
Matchmaker coped well with the soft7 conditions of the Randwick track in what was her first win in three starts across the Tasman and her eighth lifetime start.
‘‘She’s from the South Island in New Zealand, she did a good job over there winning her first start and running in some nice races, picking up some black type,’’ Waller said.
‘‘Now to come to the big stage here at Royal Randwick and winning on Doncaster day, it’s pretty special.
‘‘The confidence she’ll take out of it is good and naturally you’d expect her to get out over a little bit further as well. I think she’ll be a nice fouryear-old.’’
The win capped a memorable day for jockey McDonald, who rode a treble with the Bell Stakes victory coming after Group I wins aboard Anamoe and Nature Strip to advance McDonald’s Group I tally to 51.
McDonald became the fastest jockey to pass the half century of Group I wins, with 11 in New Zealand, one in Hong Kong and 39 in Australia.
‘‘She was a bit of a handful in the parade ring. Hopefully, she gets better with a bit more maturity and as she gets along in her preparation. She is a lovely mare who handles the wet ground really well,’’ he said. ‘‘I am so lucky and so blessed to ride every horse I swing my leg over. You have to pinch yourself sometimes. They are beautiful horses who are highly talented. It’s very special and I’m very lucky.’’
The Group III victory for Matchmaker was a timely one, with her yearling half-sister by Savile Row out of the Fastnet Rock mare Love Somebody set to be auctioned at this week’s South Island Sale, which is conducted on Gavelhouse Plus online.
Meanwhile, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Quick Thinker was back in the winner’s circle when winning the Group II Chairman’s Quality (2600m), also at Randwick.
The four-year-old entire had not run a place in six starts since winning the Group I Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick 12 months ago, but the Kiwi raider always looked to be relishing the solid tempo and track conditions.
Ridden by Damian Lane, the son of So You Think staved off former Kiwi Rondinella.
‘‘Obviously, the track was quite testing. They were under the pump a fair way out there and he was still travelling quite well. Definitely the track conditions have played into his hands,’’ Forsman said.
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