Stockman (NZ) Captures Christmas Cup

Quality stayer Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock) has turned his $175,000 purchase price at Karaka into almost 10 times that amount, and he landed another feature prize in Saturday’s A$200,000 Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

Stockman was bought by syndicators Proven Thoroughbreds from the Book 1 draft of Cambridge Stud at Karaka 2018. The gelding’s 49-start career has produced nine wins, 10 placings and A$1.73m in stakes.

Saturday’s Christmas Cup was the fourth black-type win for Stockman, who had previously won the Group Three Sky High Stakes (2000m), the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2000m) and the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), while his stakes placings include a runner-up finish in the Group One Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Stockman had failed on a very firm track at Newcastle in his previous start, but the Joe Pride-trained seven-year-old was back at his very best in Saturday’s staying feature.

Rider Reece Jones settled at the tail of the field through the early stages of the race and still had only two others behind him at the home turn, but Stockman’s class and stamina shone through in the final 300 metres. He worked through his gears and built up momentum, gaining ground on the leaders with every stride.

Stockman and Little Mix (Mahisara) hit the front side by side with 100 metres remaining, and in a head-bobbing battle to the wire, Stockman thrust his neck out at the right time and snatched a narrow victory.

“The plan was to try to be a bit handier today, but we jumped from a wide draw and a couple just held their spots underneath us, so we had to drift back,” Jones said.

“They rolled along nicely and we had a good trip in transit. From about the 1000 metres, he was a typical stayer – I started to ask him and there wasn’t an immediate response, but the further we went, the stronger he got.

“He’s a true campaigner and very honest. He probably would have relished a bit more rain today and gone even better, but it was good to see him get this win. Joe and the rest of the team have done a great job with him.”