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2014 Rydges Captain Cook Stakes Group 1 December 6 - Trentham

3 minute read

Shuka wins 2014 Rydges Captain Cook Stakes Group 1 NZ$200,000 at Trentham (NZ), 1600m.

Shuka winning the Rydges Captain Cook Stakes
Shuka winning the Rydges Captain Cook Stakes Picture: Trish Dunell

Unbeaten in three starts on the track, the win by Shuka was a tribute to the training skills of Peter & Dawn Williams, coming off a 63-day break to record back-to-back wins in the race. Able to secure a nice spot three back on the outer, from an awkward draw in barrier eight, Shuka warmed into proceedings at the 300m, was headed to his outside by Nashville, but fought hard in tight quarters for victory.

Slowest of the eight to begin, Nashville followed Shuka in running. Nashville quickened the better of the two to lead at the 200m but could not withstand his rival.

From the trail, race favourite Puccini finally worked clear two off the rail at the 200m and put in a bold bid to finish close up in third.

The first three had a margin over fourth placed Julinsky Prince, who ranged to challenge on straightening after situating in fourth.

I Do finished fifth after travelling outside the leader Pure Champion.

Weregoingtogetcha made good ground late for sixth, and Pure Champion was seventh.


ANZ Bloodstock News

Trentham

Saturday, 06th December 2014

10
17:43
(local)

Captain Cook Stakes (G1)

Type: OPEN
NZD $200,000
1600m TURF DEAD
10
17:43
(local)
NZD $200,000
1600m DEAD

Captain Cook Stakes (G1)

Type: OPEN

The WFA depth in New Zealand is at an all time low despite local ratings for some reason saying otherwise but the changing and unflattering results are proving otherwise. This G1 WFA for all comers at the mile could only draw a paltry eight runners and whether any of these are anything but domestic top liners is almost certain. The winner Shuka won this race last year in a tight finish and did it again but he would be G3 at best outside New Zealand and that would be on the proviso the field was weak. He is big and strong and honest but narrowly beat the deadheaters for second in Nashville and Puccini. Nashville, which tried the G1 Emirates in 2013 under 55kg and finished tenth albeit not totally disgraced, has been an enigma this season and is still to win. Puccini was found out as a 3yo in Sydney last season and is still this time in to score in an Open WFA event. Shuka had not won a race since this same event a year ago where he beat Viadana (exposed big time in several starts in Australia) and today he clocked 1:37.53 and that is a pathetic time. One race before Sanasar, an all the way winner of a Ratings 85, clocked 1:36.29 or ran seven lengths superior. There was no pace in the G1 feature today and no depth. The unusual thing is the leader, runner outside the leader and the third on settling runner all missed paying a dividend even though it was a tepid overall time. Julinsky Prince, which is not really a G1 or WFA performer and more a wet track handicapper, finished fourth after racing third the outer throughout. I Do was weak in fifth after sitting outside the leader and needs cover it seems to put in plus whether she is absolute top shelf in New Zealand at WFA is still in question. The races at Hastings over the Spring Triple Crown have been shown up since as well below par and not trustable. I Do won a leg and was placed in another, with her conqueror being Pure Champion and it was poor today weakening to second last after leading. Pure Champion led but rider Craig Grylls could not get the old Hong Kong galloper to come back underneath him but also finding nothing once headed the run home was a surprise too like I Do weakening. Maybe he needs cover like the mare. Survived was terrible again and there is no middle ground with this galloper as he either goes big or appalling. The one runner that could be followed with some confidence for the rest of the season is Weregoingtogetcha in finishing sixth beaten two and a half lengths. It was his first go at G1 under WFA versus all comers and after looking flat halfway up the Trentham run home he got his second wind late and found the line. Logic says the pair of 4yos from this, Puccini and Weregoingtogetcha, are the only runners with scope as the rest are either too old to improve, not good enough or are domestically overrated. A more than dubious race and result with its G1 rating surely under intense pressure as not a serious race anymore despite being moved all over the place. None of these are G1 level outside New Zealand and so it is a domestic G1 result that cannot be taken too seriously owing to the form and age of many in the small line up. This race has become the consolation prize for those that could not cut it over the Sprint Triple Crown at Hastings and when you consider this year was a very week carnival indeed it does not augur well for anything. Costume won the last leg of the Triple Crown and was demolished in her lone Melbourne run and the other two legs went to I Do and Pure Champion. New Zealand currently has 22 G1 races a season, which is the same as Japan under the JRA season, if you want proof of what a reality check is and means. G1 racing needs to be elevated and made prestigious on a pedestal where it is the pinnacle of the sport. Dilution and having too many for the sake of it should be shunned internationally as it highlights a total lack of depth and therefore trustable form.



FP Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 2. SHUKA (NZ) 6yo G
BACHELOR DUKE (USA) - ALABAMA ROSE (NZ)
DANIELLE JOHNSON
PETER & DAWN WILLIAMS
$2
59kg
Parr Bloodstock Ltd

Sales Information

2nd 3. NASHVILLE (NZ) 6yo G
DARCI BRAHMA (NZ) - ROYAL KISS (IRE)
JONATHAN RIDDELL
ADRIAN & HARRY BULL
$2
59kg
A M & Mrs R E Bull

Sales Information

2nd 6. PUCCINI (NZ) 4yo H
ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) - OUR MISS OPERA (NZ)
VINNIE COLGAN
PETER MCKAY
$1.5
59kg
Monovale Holdings Syndicate
4th 4. JULINSKY PRINCE (NZ) 5yo G
DARCI BRAHMA (NZ) - JULINSKY PRINCESS (NZ)
JOHNATHON PARKES
FRASER AURET
$2
59kg
5th 8. I DO (NZ) 7yo M
NO EXCUSE NEEDED (GB) - FREEQUENCE (NZ)
OPIE BOSSON
ALLAN SHARROCK
$3
57kg

Sales Information

6th 7. WEREGOINGTOGETCHA (AUS) 4yo H
TESTA ROSSA (AUS) - SWEETNESS 'N LIGHT (NZ)
MARK DU PLESSIS
NZ-DAVID HAYES
$2
59kg

Sales Information

7th 1. PURE CHAMPION (IRE) 7yo H
FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND (GB) - CASTARA BEACH (IRE)
CRAIG GRYLLS
LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT
$2
59kg

Sales Information

8th 5. SURVIVED (NZ) 5yo G
ZED (NZ) - LIBERAL (NZ)
CHRIS JOHNSON
KELLY BURNE
$2
59kg

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