Chambord (NZ) Claims Deserved Stakes Win

A proven Group 1 performer who has had more than his share of setbacks during his racing career, the $200,000 Karaka purchase Chambord (NZ) (Zabeel) claimed a richly deserved first black-type victory in Friday’s $50,000 Listed FastTrack Insurance Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.

The well-bred son of Zabeel and the Montjeu mare Miss Montjeu (NZ) was bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis with feature three-year-old racing in mind, and he proved to be right up to that standard.

He placed in the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes (behind subsequent Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago), then ran second in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). He has also placed in the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas (1600m) and the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m).

Bad luck with injuries has seen him spend a great deal of the last few years on the sidelines, but on Friday he showed his true colours.

Ridden by Cameron Lammas for Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Chambord sat in second-last position before moving within striking distance nearing the home turn.

He ranged up to challenge the multiple Group 1-winning topweight Start Wondering (NZ) (Eighth Wonder) in the straight, and gradually got the better of that rival to score by a long neck.

Chambord has now had 21 starts for four wins, eight placings and more than $209,000 in prize-money.

“He’s been thereabouts in almost every race he’s had,” Lammas said. “Today he got there. He deserves it.”

The upcoming 2018 Karaka Book 1 features a three-quarter-brother to Chambord. Lot 392 is a colt out of Miss Montjeu, this time by Zabeel’s son Savabeel.