A Home Win For Iamishwara

Delivering an impressive performance on Saturday was Iamishwara (NZ) (Keeninsky) in the Group 2 $100,000 Ezibuy Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) at Awapuni.

Iamishwara (NZ) wins the Group 2 Ezibuy Awapuni Gold Cup. Photo courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North.

Racing at his local track, Iamishwara won his third stakes race and his 12th win in total for trainer Antony Kaye. Having his second start this campaign at 2000m, he won his first Group 1 race two starts ago at Otaki in the Group 1 WFA Classic having taken his first stakes win at the end of last season in the Listed Opunake Cup.

“It was a fantastic win,” commented Kaye. “He worked really well during the week and he showed just how good he can really be on Saturday - he keeps getting better and better.

“We are looking at taking him to the Easter Handicap on the 18th at Ellerslie.”

Beginning the race from an inside barrier, rider Lisa Allpress jumped Iamishwara and followed the rail in fourth position. Iamishwara trailed the leader, Jubilate (NZ) (Falkirk), while Ringo (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) kept tabs on Iamishwara on the outside.

The pace quickened as the field turned for home and sticking to the rail was Iamishwara who nudged his way through to challenge Jubilate and Scapolo (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) with 300m to go. Iamishwara took the lead from Jubilate and raced away to the finish. Iamishwara won by two-and-three-quarter-lengths over Jubilate who took second place and King Krovanh (Fastnet Rock) finished in third.

With 57 starts throughout his racing career, the son of Keeninsky has earned a total of $407,497 for owner and trainer Antony and Nicky Kaye.

The five-year-old gelding was purchased at the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale for $8,000 by NZB as agent from N.J. Wall.

Iamishwara was bred by R H E Killick and N J Wall and is out of She’s Heroic (Clay Hero). Iamishwara is a full-sibling to She’s Prestigous (Keeninsky), who ran third in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, and is a half-brother to He’s Heroic (Zerpour), winner of eight races and placegetter in the Group 2 Counties Cup.