Showmanship (NZ) Stars on Sydney Debut

After a perfect Sydney debut in the A$200,000 Group Three MostynCopper Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, quality Karaka graduate Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing) is now a winner in three different Australian states.

Bought by John Chalmers Bloodstock for $145,000 from Haunui Farm’s draft at Karaka 2017, Showmanship has had 10 starts for eight wins, a placing and A$422,475 in stakes.

Carrying the distinctive cerise and white colours of powerhouse owners Peters Investments, Showmanship began his career in Perth, where he won six of his first seven starts. After relocating to Melbourne, the gelding quickly added two further victories including the Listed Chandler McLeod Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Having spent more than 18 months off the scene with injury, Showmanship returned to racing with a promising third in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool in May, and on Saturday he was right back on top of his game.

Ridden by James McDonald for trainer Danny O’Brien, Showmanship sat in mid-pack along the rail, then switched to the outside early in the run home.

The seven-year-old took a few seconds to work through his gears, but he slowly but surely lengthened stride and began to gain ground on the leader. Showmanship went into full flight in the final 100 metres, striding past Prime Candidate (Denman) for an emphatic victory.

“I’m thankful to get the ride from Danny and Mr Peters,” McDonald said. “They (Peters Investments) are always a force when they come over to the east coast, and they seem to take a lot of prize-money.

“He is a classy horse, and he was prepped to perfection. He was here to run well, and he did that. He’s an old gentleman, he just does what he has to do, but his winning record is just superb. He is a real winner. He knows where the line is and is a pleasure to ride.

“He’ll take further improvement from this, without doubt. Danny said there was plenty to come. It was a lovely stepping stone, he got in well at the weights and he is a real progressive horse.”

Showmanship was bred by Haunui Bloodstock and is out of Khales (NZ) (Don Eduardo), whose four winning progeny include three stakes performers. Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City) was Champion Stayer in Singapore in 2016 and won seven races including the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m), while six-race winner La Mouline (NZ) (Showcasing) placed in the Group Three Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) in 2016.