Listed Success for Iamishwara

A late finish by Iamishwara (NZ) (Keeninsky) resulted in upset as he took the win ahead of more favoured runners in the $65,000 Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at Pukekura on Saturday.

Trained by Awapuni based Antony Kaye, Iamishwara had been aimed at the feature race for some time and connections were delighted with the win. 

“The Opunake Cup had always been the plan but we waited until the last moment to nominate him as weather is always a factor but the slow 9 track was perfect for him and we knew he couldn’t be beaten on that ground,” commented Kaye.

The four-year-old settled back in the field early on under the hands of top southern jockey Chris Johnson and as they approached the straight, Johnson took him wide and he maintained a strong gallop to the line to win by a nose. “He was originally meant to start at Awapuni last weekend but the track just didn’t suit him so we put him in a trial instead and hoped for more suitable track conditions this weekend.”

“We have tried to get Chris aboard for a while now but due to his existing partnership with Final Touch, it hadn’t come about,” Kaye said.  “Chris is a hands and heels rider and Iamishwara goes best for those types of riders and the combination of the two of them worked just as we’d hoped.”

Saturday’s win was Iamishwara’s ninth win from 41 starts, earning over $175,000 in prizemoney for owner and trainer Antony Kaye and his wife Nicky. 

Antony and Nicky purchased Iamishwara from the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale under the guidance of Antony’s uncle Joe Walls. 

“We have to take this chance to say a big thank you to Antony’s Uncle Joe,” said Nicky.  "His great eye for a horse and the support he has shown has allowed us to get where we are today.”

Iamishwara is likely to be a late nomination for the Winter Cup but if weather conditions are less than desirable he will be aimed at the Spring Carnival in the Hawke’s Bay. 

Iamishwara is by Keeninsky out of She’s Heroic and is the half-brother to Group 2 placed He’s Heroic (Zerpour). He was offered at the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale by N J Wall and purchased by Antony and Nicky for $8,000.