Written by Paul Vettise
Cover Image courtesy of Sun Stud, Squamosa
Genuine South Island mare Kiwi Ida (Squamosa) has proved to be a blue chip investment for Canterbury owners and trainers John and Karen Parsons, who bought the mare for loose change in Australia.
The husband and wife only had to go to $4000 to purchase their stable star at the 2015 Inglis Great Southern Weanling & Bloodstock Sale where she was offered by Ponderosa Park.
Kiwi Ida lifted her career earnings to within touching distance of NZ$400,000 when she was successful in the G2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge S. at Awapuni. It was her second Group 3 success having claimed last year’s Canterbury Breeders’ S.
The 5-year-old made the trip north in good form and had won two of her previous four starts, including and open handicap sprint at Riccarton last month.
Kiwi Ida was right at ease with the slow ground and she moved within shouting distance of the leaders on straightening and came with an undeniable finish for her 13th victory from 40 appearances.
“I got a really good run and she’s just such an honest mare with a great record,” Johnson said. “She hasn’t missed out too many times and she was trained to the minute copes with everything so well.
“I got a really good run and she’s just such an honest mare with a great record.” - Chris Johnson
“We got back passed midfield and I was able to follow the right horse (Rock On Wood) to the top of the straight and got out at the right time. She found enough to hold them all off.”
Kiwi Ida doesn’t hold nominations for any of the shorter summer feature races, but no doubt her connections will be thinking of using a portion of the mare’s earnings for late entries.
Runner-up Rock On Wood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) was given every chance by rider Ryan Elliot but he was unable to produce his trademark sprint on the rain-affected track.
Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per Incanto) had a tricky gate to deal with and rider Lisa Allpress took him back at the start and the gelding’s effort to steam home for third ahead of Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) was full of merit.
Mare hits top note
Savabeel mare Concert Hall (NZ) set herself up for further summer staying features with a runaway win in the G3 Aberdeen On Broadway Manawatu Cup.
The Joan Egan-bred and raced 5-year-old has always shaped as a quality middle distance prospect and she realised that potential on Saturday.
Concert Hall lodged her challenge wide out in the run home anbd powered clear to account for Platinum Invader (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and topweight Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto {GB}) hit the line well under his 60kg.
“I was a bit nervous when she was a little keen coming past the post the first time,” co-trainer Robert Wellwood said. “She got into a nice rhythm after that and when I saw her travelling at the 600 metre mark I thought she was going to be pretty hard to beat.
“It’s good to finally get a few of the loyal punters paid who follow her and it’s great for Joan (Egan) as she has been a good supporter of us and she deserves all the success she gets.”
Robert Wellwood (left) with training partner Roger James (right)
Wellwood said the G2 City of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie over 2400 metres was a likely next target for Concert Hall.
The result completed a rewarding week for Egan, whose colours were also carried to an impressive win at Awapuni seven days ago by the Team Rogerson-trained Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars). He also holds a nomination for the Ellerslie staying event on New Year’s Day.
