The Good Shepherd’s (NZ) (Power) stellar run of form continued at Ascot Park on Saturday, powering through late to win the Cruickshank Pryde Southland Stakes (1200m) for Lee Callaway.
A seven-year-old by Power, The Good Shepherd was trained by his owner, Stephen Blair-Edie, until April last year, when he handed over the reins to Callaway. The gelding had previously shown a liking to soft track conditions, but through the current term, has been a model of consistency on top of the ground, including an impressive win at Wingatui in mid-January.
Callaway took an opportunity to test The Good Shepherd in stakes company in the Listed Hazlett Stakes last Saturday, where he finished a game sixth from a wide trip. Backing up in the $50,000 contest, the gelding was underrated in the market at $11, with his near-topweight decreased by Ruvanesh Muniandy’s three-kilogram claim.
The Good Shepherd, Rochello and race-favourite Tikki jumped in unison before Muniandy allowed him to settle back in the one-one, sitting outside of The Radiant One. Having been taken on throughout, Tikki began to tire half-way down the straight while The Good Shepherd and The Radiant One hunted her down, with the former finding the edge at the line to win by a head.
Callaway, a jockey who happily watched trackside on this occasion, couldn’t have been prouder of his stable star.
“He’s been racing really well and I was very impressed with the run yesterday, he jumped out well and it was a great ride by Ruvanesh,” he said.
“He’s usually got the top weight and while he continues to, I’ll keep the claim on. In saying that, Ruvanesh gets on very well with this horse and was just unlucky the start before, being caught wide. He still went a great race.
“He used to like the wet tracks and he seems to prefer running on top of the ground now, which is good.
“There is an open 1200 at Wingatui in two weeks’ time, so I’ll see how he goes there, then he may have a wee break.”
Callaway was equally pleased to deliver the victory for a good friend in Blair-Edie, who he rode over 20 winners for whilst the Riverton horseman was training.
“I’ve always gotten along really well with Steve Blair-Edie, I’ve ridden quite a few winners for him so it means a lot to be able to get a couple of horses to train for him,” Callaway said.
“Claudius Maximus ran second as well yesterday, so he’s another that is performing quite well which is great. Steve always looked after me and supported me, so it’s awesome to get some good results for him.”
Purchased for just $9,000 at the Karaka May Sale in 2018, The Good Shepherd is fashioning an enviable record, winning nine races with earnings of over $230,000.
He was the second foal out of handy race-mare Likeapins, who won 11 races and was placed at Listed level. The mare’s other progeny to race have all been winners, including Whiskey, who placed in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).