Prince Jabeel reigns in City of Auckland Cup
Apprentice Ryan Elliot celebrated his recent red-hot run of form when he guided outsider Prince Jabeel to an upset victory in the Gr.3 Pencarrow Stud City of Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie yesterday.
Carrying the colours of breeder and part-owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the under-rated five-yearold hadn’t figured in any pre-race discussions but proved he deserved his place in the staying feature as he fought off all challenges after taking the lead approaching the home bend.
The Savabeel gelding had the audacity to pull clear in the final few strides as Elliot’s whip flourish sparked connections into some wild celebrations in the Ellerslie grandstand.
“It’s amazing,” Lindsay said. “We thought he had a chance, but gosh, he’s just won easy, I can’t believe it.
“We sent him over to Moira Murdoch’s at the beach last week and it obviously works. I think I’d better go there for a week myself.
“That’s the third stakes winner for the mare which is so exciting.”
Prince Jabeel is from Danehill mare J’Adane, who was placed on seven occasions at stakes level including a runner-up finish in the 2007 Gr.1 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) behind Princess Coup. She is also the dam of Group Three winners Von Tunzelman and Sherrif.
Trainer Lance Noble was thrilled with the result as he looks ahead to a two-mile challenge for his charge.
“It’s amazing to be able to do that for Brendan and Jo and the whole team,” he said. “He’s a 2400m-3200m horse that we are trying to get to the Wellington Cup and this race set up for him to be honest.
“If he’d run a nice placing, I was going to be happy, but Ryan rode him really well and the light weight was a big help.” Prince Jabeel has now won three of his 20 career starts with more than $163,000 in stakes earnings. He holds a nomination for both the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) on January 19 and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 19.
Matamata filly Imelda Mary caused a minor upset when she dashed away from her age-group rivals to take out the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie yesterday.
The nuggety Ferlax three-year-old was stepping up from a maiden victory over 1600m at her last-start although she had hinted she was more than comfortable in black-type company with a gritty fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) back in November.
Given a perfect trip in midfield by rider Cameron Lammas, Imelda Mary sprinted quickly to the front early in the run home as she put a winning break on her nearest chaser.
Awapuni visitor Secret Allure and the well fancied Luminous tried hard however Imelda Mary was too strong.
While trainer Wayne Hillis has Imelda Mary nominated for the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 16, he is leaning towards a richer target back at Ellerslie later this month.
“She’s in the Oaks as that is her main target, but I’ll freshen her up and have a go at the Karaka Million (3YO 1600m) as she is eligible for that,” he said.