Kilowatt (NZ) Hits New Career High

A southern country cups king over the last three seasons, consistent performer Kilowatt (NZ) (Shocking) claimed a deserved win at stakes level in Saturday’s $60,000 Listed Alleviate Administration Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui. 

The son of Shocking was offered by breeders Rich Hill Stud at the 2015 Select Sale and has gone on to be a quality stayer across several seasons. Kilowatt has had 55 starts for 10 wins and 18 placings, earning more than $230,000 in stakes for owners the Carriers Arms Racing Syndicate.

Prior to Saturday’s black type breakthrough, Kilowatt had made a name for himself as a country cup specialist with victories in the Summer Cup (1600m), Gore Cup (1800m), Tapanui Cup (2000m) and two editions of the Wyndham Cup (2000m), along with a placing in the Listed Riverton Cup (2147m) in 2019.

Saturday was a new career pinnacle for the eight-year-old, producing a sustained run from last in the hands of jockey Brandon May. He surged forward out wide as the field approached the home turn, moving up to third place at the top of the straight.

He soon shook off Savezar (NZ) (Savabeel) and Riviera Rock (NZ) (Road To Rock) and went clear, running out the 2400-metre distance with ease and crossing the finish line with a two-length margin up his sleeve.

“That was a really good effort today,” co-trainer Kelvin Tyler said. “He’s been a good horse for our stable for a number of years now. He started out up north, but he came down to us when he was a lightly raced four-year-old. He’s done a great job for us since then and has won a good cup race every year. He deserved this one.

“He hasn’t had much luck in his last few runs in this preparation – he got flattened in his last start, just when he was trying to improve. But we put blinkers on today and stepped him up to 2400 metres, and that seemed to suit him really well. It was a big performance.”

Kilowatt continued a strong run of form for his sire Shocking, who has sired six stakes winners this season including Group One star I’m Thunderstruck (NZ), exciting up-and-comers Elephant (NZ) and Self Obsession (NZ), and last week’s Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Lincoln King (NZ). He has five yearlings in the catalogue for Book 1 of Karaka 2022, with another six in Book 2.