Hoorang Highlights Karaka Winning Weekend
17 November 2008
Hoorang's (Zerpour - Kay Maree, by Rhythm) success in the Group 2 New Zealand Cup on Saturday highlighted a super day for Karaka graduates who won four of the five stakes races in New Zealand over the weekend.
The 145th New Zealand Cup (3200m) was won by Hoorang, a six-year-old mare owned and trained by semi-retired veterinarian Ian Shaw. Bred by Mrs. J R & W D Jolly & Westbury Stud Ltd, she was an astute purchase by Ian for $3,600 at the 2005 New Zealand Bloodstock Westbury Stud Reduction Sale.
After taking the lead mid-straight, jockey Kelly Myers guided Hoorang home with a final kick that resulted in victory by half of a head which upped the mare's record to seven wins and earnings of $250,375.
Samurai (Daggers Drawn - Wait and Sea, by Racing Is Fun) took his earnings to $207,065 when he flew late in his customary fashion to win the Group 3 Tauranga Stakes (1600m), the Bay of Plenty's feature race of the day. He was bred by D & Mrs. E Robinson and later purchased by Kevin Myers from Hunter Lodge Thoroughbreds for $35,000 at the 2003 Select Sale at Karaka. He now runs in the colours of C & Mrs. E M Connors and is trained by Neil Connors.
Impressive winner of the Listed 2yo Welcome Stakes (1200m), Lesley Brook was acquired just three months ago by South Island trainer Terry Kennedy for $28,000 at the South Island Sale. Sold by Esker Lodge of Cambridge for breeder J S Otway, the chestnut filly is by No Excuse Needed out of the mare Polka (Groom Dancer). The filly becomes a part of the great success achieved by New Zealand's magnificent Heights family, responsible for this year's Melbourne Cup winner Viewed (Scenic) and Australian Horse of the Year, Weekend Hussler (Hussonet).
Owned by F A King Family Trust, Lesley Brook was ridden by Leith Innes to a half-length victory over fellow NZB graduate Ransom Success (Red Ransom).
The final feather in the Karaka graduate hat came from Coup Bloomsbury (Centaine - Winds of Conquest, by Quest for Fame) in winning the Listed Mohau Handicap (1400m) for the third consecutive year for trainer Michael Pitman, who was overjoyed with his charge's achievement. The bay gelding was purchased by current owner Ray Coupland from breeder Bloomsbury Stud for $47,000 at the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Colts Sale. A half-brother to Coup Bloomsbury, a chestnut colt by Pins, will be offered by Phoenix Park at Karaka in January.