Gin Martini (NZ) Masters Melbourne Debut

Making her first attempt at the Melbourne direction of racing, Karaka graduate Gin Martini (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) showed class and toughness in equal measure to take out Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) at Caulfield.

It was the first stakes win for the talented chestnut, who had previously placed in three stakes races including last season’s Group One Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick. Bought by syndicators Tricolours Racing for only $40,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2020, she has earned A$361,540 in a 19-start career that has produced three wins and six placings.

Ridden by Craig Williams in Saturday’s staying test, Gin Martini sat just in behind the leaders in third spot for most of the journey. The front-runners appeared to be kicking away from the four-year-old coming up to the home turn, but Gin Martini worked through her gears and finished over the top of them down the straight, getting up to score by a neck.

“She’s a really good, tough horse,” said Williams, who explained that trainer John Sargent was absent from Saturday’s meeting due to his daughter’s wedding.

“This mare actually felt like she was always going to be there today, but she just needed a bit more motivation, a bit more encouragement and a bit of straightening up – having her first run in Melbourne.

“John was really confident with her this morning. She had no weight on her back, she relaxes, she was always going to get the trip really well, and he said she can win it if it’s a true staying test.

“It wasn’t a strong pace early, but from about the 1000 metres, the pressure came on, so it had the essence of a good staying test.”

A half-brother to Gin Martini by Embellish (NZ) was offered by Ohukia Lodge at the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka earlier this month. Going through the ring as Lot 297, the colt was bought for $50,000 by Kaiser Chan Woh Ltd.