Half-Brother to Gaultier at Karaka 2015

Promising three-year-old Gaultier (NZ) (Rios) broke his maiden status with Group 1 glory in the $240,000 Group 1 AIB Group Insurance Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Gaultier (NZ) racing into Group 1 glory in the AIB Group Insurance Levin Classic. Photo courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North.

A half-brother by Roc de Cambes to Gaultier is entered in the 2015 Karaka Festival Sale at Lot 1122 from Esker Lodge.

The Danica Guy trained gelding has had just five starts since making his racing debut in November last year. He placed third three starts ago and has run into trouble in his other three starts.

“It was an outstanding performance,” commented trainer Danica Guy. “Particularly for a maiden to win a Group 1 race.

“I was really looking forward to this – he’s just improved so much since we gelded him.”

Jockey Michael Coleman rode Gaultier in the mile race, dropping back to the tail of the field in the early stages of the race. Coming from seven lengths behind the leader, the Rios gelding went to the outside of the field as they turned the corner.

A bold home run saw Coleman and Gaultier burst to the lead and narrowly post victory by a head. Karaka graduates Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Huka Eagle (NZ) (Swiss Ace) came in for second and third place.

“Gaultier will be going to the Waikato Guineas and then head towards the Derby,” says Guy.

“We always knew he had the ability – bring on the Derby.”

Gaultier was purchased by Guy’s Upstage Bloodstock for $17,500 at the 2013 Ready to Run Sale from Rattray Bloodstock and has now earned $141,725 for owners Danica & Gayle Guy and Leighton Howl.

Bred by Mrs B & Dr P Rattray, the son of Rios is out of unraced mare Playacting (Royal Academy). Playacting is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Daily Busy (Trepan) and is a half-sister to the dam of stakes winners Shadowy Outline (Kala Dancer) and Cross Border – Java Treasure (Mac.) (Prego).