Champion rowers join Hogan in aptly named filly

HORSE RACING

FIVE of New Zealand’s elite rowers will chase gold in a race of a different kind.

London Olympics gold medallists Mahe Drysdale, Eric Murray, Hamish Bond, Joseph Sullivan and Nathan Cohen will join legendary breeder Patrick Hogan and his wife in the ownership of Sharmadal filly Aotearower, to be trained at Matamata by Ken and Bev Kelso.

The syndicate is the brainchild of Social Racing principal Pat MacFie and the filly is sure to create interest when she begins racing.

Ken Kelso yesterday said Aotearower had already had one training preparation before she was turned out to grow and the two-year-old filly was due to return to his stable next week after pre-training was completed.

‘‘She’s a lovely filly and we’re looking forward to training her for Sir Patrick and the rowers,’’ he said.

‘‘We went over and met them all at Cambridge Stud last week. They’re quite excited. They’ve got a promising filly and hopefully it will be a bit of fun for them.’’

Aotearower will race in black silks with crossed oars to reflect her famous ownership.

Hogan was thrilled to involve the rowers in his filly.

‘‘I was asked if I had a nice filly that I could lease to the rowing gold medallists and this one fitted the bill,’’ he said. ‘‘I took her to Sydney but didn’t sell her there so I brought her home. She’s beautifully bred, out of Kaatoon, by Sharmadal. She should make a lovely three-year-old.’’

Kaatoon was a smart mare, winning four of her 18 starts, including the Group II Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa and the Group III Lowland Stakes before she was sent out a $1.80 favourite in the Group I New Zealand Oaks at Trentham, in which she finished seventh.

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