In A Twinkling Defends Counties Cup Crown

A long drought was broken at Pukekohe on Saturday when In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) became the first horse in three decades to win back-to-back runnings of the $100,000 Group Three Franklin Auctions Counties Cup (2100m). 

Bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $250,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale, In A Twinkling has now earned more than $440,000 in his 21-start, four-win career. He also finished a close second in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) of his year.

In A Twinkling was ridden by Opie Bosson on Saturday, and he travelled smoothly as he pursued the front-running Justamaiz (NZ) (Guillotine) for most of the 2100-metre journey.

Justamaiz put a bit of a margin between them rounding the home turn, but In A Twinkling wore him down in the straight and went clear to win by a length from fast-finishers Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) and Grand Bouquet (NZ) (Savabeel).

“We knew during the week that he was bouncing out of his skin,” Bosson said. “I was quietly confident.

“I was stalking the leader. With good speed on, he gets on the bridle and he’ll keep running all the way. It took me forever to pull him up as well, he just keeps on going.

“I knew the horse I had when he got to the front, and he doesn’t lay down. He’s a big strong fella and the further he goes the better.”

Ellis paid tribute to premiership-leading trainer Jamie Richards, whose big week previously featured big-race wins with Karaka graduates Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Avonallo (NZ) (Belardo) in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m).

“Jamie has been training horses to win at all levels, from the two-year-old Avonallo and three-year-old Kahma Lass in the 1000 Guineas, through to winning the Counties Cup for the second year in a row,” Ellis said. “He and our team are continuing to a fantastic job and it’s very exciting for all our owners.

“I bought In A Twinkling as a yearling from Coolmore Stud, who I’ve had so much success buying from. He was in Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore draft, and he’s another good horse that I’ve bought from Gordon.

“It’s quite widely reported that he’s got his quirks, but he’s a pretty good galloper when he brings his A-game and there are some really nice races available for him over Christmas and into the New Year.

“We were pretty devastated, at the time, when he missed the start by three lengths in the New Zealand Derby and was beaten by a head at the line.

“So it’s great for everyone to see him win another black-type race, and I’m just thrilled for the owners who have been very patient and well rewarded.”

Vendor	Curraghmore
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	Fastnet Rock – Moment in Time
Sale	Lot 295, 2017 Premier Sale, $250,000
Bred by	Caradale