Stockman (NZ) Shines in St Leger

Quality Karaka-sourced stayer Stockman (Tavistock) gave his owners their biggest payday yet with a commanding victory in Saturday’s A$500,000 The Star St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick. 

The six-year-old gelding has now earned over A$1.3 million in a career that spans 35 starts, eight wins and 10 placings. Syndicators Proven Thoroughbreds paid only $175,000 to buy him from Book 1 of Karaka 2018, and he has now returned more than eight times that amount in prizemoney.

Stockman had previously won the Group Three Sky High Stakes (2000m) and two Listed races, all on heavy tracks, but on Saturday – when he was faced with drier ground on a sunny Sydney day – he shone every bit as brightly.

Ridden by Sam Clipperton, Stockman cruised around in midfield before creeping into contention coming up to the home turn.

He was poised to pounce in the straight, and when Clipperton pushed the button he bounded to the front. Placegetters Arapaho (Lope De Vega) and Sacramento (Pierro) tried their hardest to pull him back, but Stockman kept going strongly to the line and scored by a length and three-quarters.

“It was just a beautifully run race,” Clipperton said. “They went along at a lovely clip for everyone to be comfortable and particularly my horse, he’s a strong stayer. He gets better as he gets out in trip.

“I was a bit disappointed after his fourth in the Metropolitan (Group One, 2400m), they just went too slow for him. I was sort of kicking myself I didn’t do a couple of things differently.

“It’s lovely to win on this horse, he’s been a personal favourite of mine for a long time, and a great bunch of owners. He might end up in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on the first Tuesday in November, so it’s exciting for all involved.”

Pride confirmed that the A$7.75m Melbourne Cup on November 1 is now the goal.

“That’s the opportunity of a lifetime for the owners and for the horse,” Pride said. “He’s a very good, honest, genuine stayer.

“He just doesn’t want it rock-hard. He’s got a very good record. He really only gets beat on those firm tracks. He deserved that today, and it was nice to see him put paid to them.”