Second Group 1 for Historian

Tough galloper Historian (NZ) (Choisir) showed an abundance of determination to capture his second Group 1 win with victory in the Group 1 $200,000 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on yesterday’s feature race meeting.

Historian (NZ) (middle) wins the Group 1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie.

Trained by Gary Alton, this year’s Group 1 Thorndon Mile Handicap winner was stepping up to 2000m for the first time in this preparation following respectable efforts over 1600m in Group company at his last two-starts.

The former Group 1 New Zealand Derby runner-up jumped straight to the lead from barrier 3 and was able to dictate the race from the front over 2000m for rider Matthew Cameron.

The pair were able to ease the pace during the race and quickened approaching the home straight. Historian was tackled early in the straight when he rolled off the fence by Soriano (NZ) (Savabeel) and looked to be headed.

Historian has proved previously the grit and determination he has and it was once again on show as he wrestled the lead back and fought off Soriano and a late challenge from O’Fille (NZ) (O’Reilly) to claim victory by a long head.

“He is just a warrior,” commented Alton. “We get him as good as we can and he does the rest himself, he just wants to be there which makes a huge difference.

 “I was thinking if he ran second or third it was going to be a really good run but the last three strides he put his down and tried really hard.

“We will go to the Group 1 Waikato International at Te Rapa in February now. I was interested to see how he would go over ground, I thought a mile was his distance but he is racing a little bit dower now and he just keeps going.

“He has been weighted out of any handicaps now, he was carrying 57-58kgs before that race yesterday so that is probably the end of that part of his career.”

Historian was sent to Hong Kong following his Group 1 second in the New Zealand Derby but injury prevented the horse from ever racing. Most of his work is done on a treadmill with a saddle rarely put on his back due to his well-documented soundness issues.

The six-year-old gelding has earned his owner, Ngai Chun-Hung, $716,175 in prizemoney with his record reading five wins from only 16 career starts. Ngai Chun-Hung purchased the son of Choisir at the 2009 Karaka Select Sale for $40,000 from Lyndhurst Farm. Bred by Bledisloe Bloodstock Ltd, Historian is out of Cyclonic (Marauding), a winner in Australia.