Lekvarte (NZ) Lands First Black-Type Win

Classy Karaka graduate Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man) added valuable black type to her pedigree page with a powerful come-from-behind performance in Thursday’s A$300,000 Group Three Gosford RSL Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford.

Lekvarte was offered by Westbury Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, where she was bought by BK Racing & Breeding and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $210,000. Her 25-start career has now produced seven wins, five placings and A$608,230 in prize-money.

Sixth in Gosford’s fillies and mares’ feature in December of last year, Lekvarte gave the impression that she had gone to a new level in the lead-up to her shot at the 2023 edition of the race. She had won both of her previous starts this season, winning first-up at Newcastle on November 18 before carrying 61.5kg to an emphatic victory in Benchmark 78 company at Rosehill on December 2.

Black type was the big goal for Lekvarte this season, and on Thursday she delivered. Ridden by Tommy Berry for Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride, she dropped out to second-last and remained there for most of the race as second favourite Zoe’s Promise (Swear) set the pace.

Zoe’s Promise kicked powerfully at the top of the straight and looked hard to catch, but Lekvarte launched a withering finish and swept straight past her to win by an ever-widening length and a half.

“Full credit to Joe, it highlights what a trainer he is,” Berry said. “She was a month between runs and missed a trial.

“I spoke to him this morning and he had so much confidence. He said to ride her quiet and produce her late and she will be too good for them.

“I thought I might give Benny (Vassallo, owner) a bit of a heart attack on the corner and get his blood pumping. I’m sure he is happy now, and the Vassallos are great family friends. They have found another good one here and will reap the rewards when she goes to the breeding barn.”

Lekvarte became the 26th individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man, who has 21 yearlings catalogued for Karaka 2024 – nine in Book 1 and 12 in Book 2.

Vendor	Westbury Stud
Purchaser	BK Racing & Breeding/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (New South Wales)
Breeding	Reliable Man – Plumm
Sale	Lot 181, Karaka 2020 Book 1, $210,000
Bred by	S Hume

 

Picture: Steve Hart