Cong'er Clinches Counties Feature

Today’s $50,000 Listed Westbury Stud Karaka Classic 1600 saw Cong'er produce a tough performance at Counties to claim her first stakes victory for her trainers Kevin Hughes & Dean Wiles.

The five-year-old mare has been racing in consistent form and came into today’s Listed race after a hard-fought second placing at Ellerslie on 8 September where she led the field after drawing wide, only to be headed just short of the post.

Ridden by Sam Spratt, Cong'er (Zenno Rob Roy x Conifer Bay) drew well for today’s race in barrier three and came from just off the pace in a driving finish to hold off the late-finishing Noble Warrior (Le Bec Fin) to win by a short head.

“We are thrilled for the owners, they have been very loyal clients,” said Dean Wiles. “The mare has not had a lot of things go her way but Sam rode her beautifully today, it was a picture perfect ride.”

The victory brought up Cong'er’s fifth career win and her first at stakes level for her owners Carol & Geoff Vazey.

Bred by Noel Pollard, Cong'er was purchased by Dean Wiles from Te Runga Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2009 Karaka Select Sale for $25,000. Today’s Listed victory has taken her stakes earnings to $84,000.

Cong'er is the 10th stakes winner for her sire Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence), the Japan Horse of the Year who has also sired Australasian stakes winners Enjin Number Nine who won the Listed Manfred Stakes and Zennista, winner of the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup.