Cementing a hat-trick, Elegant Lady (NZ) (Highly Recommended) won the Cochranes of Canterbury (2200m) on Wednesday at Ashburton.
After capping a hat-trick of seconds with victory on New Zealand Cup Day, Elegant Lady won at Riccarton on the synthetic earlier this month and then scored again in the same grade.
Carrying virtually the same weight (56kg) with Lily Sutherland aboard, Elegant Lady received a smooth passage three back outer, ranged into contention on straightening and had things parcelled up inside the final 200m.
“It was another really good win by a progressive mare and a lovely ride by Lily (Sutherland),” said co-trainer Mark Walker.
“She’s a nice staying prospect and we have got the Dunedin Gold Cup in the back of our minds, and an opportunity to look for some black type.”
The Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) will be contested on Saturday 3 February at Wingatui.
Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM bought her dam Lady Masako for $23,000 as a yearling at the 2015 South Island Sale.
“She’s a homebred filly that has strengthened and developed into a beautiful looking mare,” said Ellis, who spent the day inspecting yearlings at Haunui Farm, Westbury Stud, and Hallmark Stud, ahead of Karaka 2024.
“She was pretty well placed by Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson) to win again in the same grade, and it’s as much about keeping their confidence high when aiming for a Cup race.
“She’s always been incredibly consistent and sometimes horses that obviously try as hard as she does just need that extra bit of maturity to start winning.
“She had no trouble seeing out the 2200 metres today, has stamina in her dam line, and stepping up to a mile and a half (2400m) may suit her.
“She’s a lovely mare, great attitude, and good to see her winning races in the south after I’d bought her mother at a South Island sale.
“Hunter Durrant and his team of staff are doing a fantastic job looking after the horses in work at Riccarton, and they’vee got a strike rate better than three (2.9) this season which is quite incredible.”
By Fastnet Rock (Danehill) stallion Highly Recommended, Elegant Lady is the second foal from Iffraaj mare Lady Masako (NZ).
