Panther Pounces to Take First Leg Of New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Triple Crown Series

Exciting three-year-old, Black Panther (NZ) (Kaapstad x Toonsie) took out the first leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Triple Crown Series at Ellerslie on Saturday, coming with a late charge in the hands of Grant Cooksley to win the $20,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Triple Crown Plate (1600m).

The win by the Richard Yuill trained galloper puts him in contention for a $100,000 'Triple Crown' bonus from New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance. The new initiative, introduced this year by New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance with the support of their London brokers and underwriters, offers a bonus to the three-year-old who can win all three races in the Series.

Black Panther will secure $205,000 in stakemoney plus the $100,000 bonus if successful in the $35,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Cup (2000m) on December 11 and the Gr.2 $150,000 Great Northern Guineas (2000m) on December 26.

Black Panther is raced by former All Black, Waka Nathan and prominent Auckland owner, Peter Walker, who also bred the horse. A winner of three of his five starts, Black Panther is out of the Affirmed mare, Toonsie.

After racing towards the rear of the field, Black Panther came with a perfectly timed run to score narrowly over the Roger James trained America's Cup (NZ) (Kaapstad x Winds of Conquest), a $57,500 at the 2004 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. The Mark Walker trained, Congaline (NZ) (Align x Bonnie Busker) finished well for third.

Black Panther was one of a trio of winners at Ellerslie for Pukekohe trainer, Richard Yuill, who formerly trained in partnership with the legendary Collin Jillings. Successful jockey Grant Cooksley was also present in the winner's circle of multiple occasions, riding 4 winners on the program.

Kaapstad, sire of Black Panther and America's Cup is represented by 14 yearlings in next year's New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales, commencing on January 30.