First Group Win for Gin Martini (NZ)

Bargain Karaka buy Gin Martini (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) added a Group Three win to her CV with a convincing come-from-behind victory in Saturday’s A$200,000 Group Three Bisley Workwear Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill.

Gin Martini was offered by Lansdowne Park at Karaka 2020, where syndicators Tricolours Racing paid just $40,000 to secure her from Book 1. She has now earned A$482,640 from a 22-start career that has produced four wins and six placings.

Previously the winner of the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m), Gin Martini had also placed in another three black-type races including last year’s Group One Australian Oaks (2400m).

Stamina is one of the four-year-old’s key assets, and it shone through in Saturday’s Epona Stakes with a sustained finish. Responding to every question asked of her by jockey Damian Lane, she swept to the lead out wide and scored by a long neck.

“She’s one of those horses that always gives her all out there, and today was no exception,” Lane said.

“The speed was just a little strong for me early, so I couldn’t get up into the position I wanted to. As it steadied though, because I was stuck three-wide, I was able to get into the race a little bit. I think that was the key factor with a horse that can get over more ground and has good stamina. I was able to use her through those middle parts and she sustained a good run.

“She’s obviously got a little bit more sprint in her legs than what she had last preparation, so she might have improved, and hopefully this won’t be the last win this campaign.”

Gin Martini is trained by expat New Zealander John Sargent, who believes the mare is finally coming into her own with more maturity under her belt.

“The trip to Melbourne for the Sandown Cup at Caulfield in November really brought her on a lot more,” he said. “She is getting to her peak now.

“She was three wide in the open, and I actually thought she’d be at her peak next start, but all dues to Damian (Lane). He knew what he was doing, and this mare just keeps giving.

“She is coming up really strongly this time in. I’d say the Chairman’s Quality (Group Two, 2600m) looks a nice race for her in a couple of weeks.

“Onwards and upwards, and we’ll see how far she can go. If she can get into one of those big handicaps with no weight, it would be a big help.” 

Vendor	Landsdowne Park Ltd
Purchaser	Tricolours Racing & Syndications (New South Wales)
Breeding	Rip Van Winkle – Tanqueray
Sale	Lot 339, Karaka 2020 Book 1, $40,000
Bred by	Bree Baddiley And Sons Ltd