Second G2 Chairman’s Handicap for Kiwi Stayer Tremec

Kiwi-bred stayer Tremec (NZ) (Zabeel) won the Group 2 A$300,000 Schweppes Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) for the second time in his career yesterday at Royal Randwick.

Tremec (NZ) wins the Group 2 Schweppes Chairman's Handicap.

Tremec’s second win in the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap followed his victory in the 2013 edition, and he was runner-up in last year’s running of the race.

His victory was the beginning of a fruitful day for Karaka graduates at Randwick with Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) winning the Group 1 Australian Derby, the seventh winner in the past nine years to be bred or sold in New Zealand, and Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) victorious in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap, the seventh kiwi bred winner in the past eight years of that race.

Trained from John Thompson’s Randwick stable, Tremec has now won three stakes races with his first black-type success coming in the Listed Randwick City Stakes as a five-year-old.

“He is tricky and has a mind of his own,” commented Thompson. “However coming back to his home track with a bit of give in the ground, there were a few things in his favour and is a horse that has come in at the right time.

“We’ll just have a look (at the Sydney Cup) and let the dust settle but we might just go to the Brisbane Cup.”

Ridden from a wide barrier by Brenton Avdulla, Tremec was sent forward early on to settle one-length behind pace maker Queenstown (Stratum) as they passed the winning post on the first trip. Travelling at a steady rhythm, Tremec continued in second place two-lengths from the leader while Phrases (Casino Prince) was in third place a further two lengths behind Tremec.

Tremec pulled out to sit alongside Queenstown as they worked up to the 600m mark and applied the pressure as they came off the turn. The final 300m saw Tremec race to the lead, drawing away for a clear win by 1.3 lengths over Sir John Hawkwood (Sir Percy) who ranged up as a late challenger to finish in second position and Grand Marshal (Dansili) took third place.

Winning seven of his 30 starts with a further four places, Tremec has earned a total of A$535,590 for his a large group of owners that includes Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds, Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Hammock Racing, Mr J Francis, Mr T Lichti, Mrs M Rolfe, Mr M Rolfe, Mr M Hunter, Mr M Fraser, Mr T Fox, Mr C Tognolini, Mr M Keeble, Mr Micallef, Mrs T Walsh, Mr G Walsh, Mr G Gray, Mrs M Graym, Mr T Dipietro and Mr M Adams.

The six-year-old gelding was purchased at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale by Patinack Farm Pty Ltd for $400,000 from Wentwood Grange.

Wentwood Grange, operated by the Hawkins family, were also the vendors of Group 1 Doncaster Handicap winner Kermadec.

Bred by Graham De Gruchy, the son of Zabeel is out of unraced mare Tipple (Stravinsky) who is a half-sister to Brew (Sir Tristram), winner of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup and Champion Stayer in Australia in 2000-01, and Bubble (Sir Tristram), winner of the Group 2 Avondale Guineas.

Tremec’s granddam Horlicks (Three Legs) was a winner of five Group 1 wins and was the first international horse to win the Japan Cup, winning in a world record time.