First Group 1 for Costume

Karaka 2014’s Leading Vendor Waikato Stud enjoyed Group 1 success on the racetrack with their talented mare Costume (NZ) (Savabeel) triumphant in the Group 1 $200,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on the weekend.

Costume (NZ) triumphant in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

The four-year-old mare trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson finished runner-up at her last appearance, in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), and was stepping up to 2000m for the first time.

Jockey Michael Coleman dropped his mount to the rear of the field early in the race and the mare settled well. Nearing the final corner Coleman improved the daughter of Savabeel on the outside of the field to challenge upon straightening.

There appeared to by many chances in the straight with southerner The Solitaire (NZ) (O’Reilly) hitting the front before Costume and fellow backmarker Shuka (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) sprinted down the outside to hit the line together in a photo finish. Costume got the verdict by a nose to be crowned the winner from Shuka, to give Karaka graduates the quinella, and The Solitaire only a neck away in third.

“She is a good horse who has had a bit of bad luck but is really putting it together now,” stated Graeme Rogerson.

“We were very confident stepping up to 2000m, the Savabeels run the trip. She covered a bit of ground on the home turn but in the end it was the right result.

“I was really happy with the win. We will go to Auckland with her for the mile-and-a-quarter (Group 1 New Zealand Stakes) then we are going to Australia for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.”

Saturday’s victory was Costume’s fifth from 17 starts, first at stakes level with earnings now of $217,675.

Costume becomes the fourth Group 1 winner for Waikato Stud sire Savabeel. She is out of Disguised (O’Reilly), a daughter of another Waikato Stud sire O’Reilly, the dam of four winners including stakes winner Masquerade (No Excuse Needed).

Waikato Stud offered Costume at the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale but her reserve was unable to be reached. A half-sister to Costume was purchased at the 2014 Karaka Premier Sale by the mare’s trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson for $60,000.