Karaka Graduate Longchamp (NZ) Claims Opunake Cup

An impressive win in today’s $65,000 Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth may have earned a Group One opportunity for Karaka graduate Longchamp (NZ) (Tavistock).

A stakes placegetter as a three-year-old in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) behind Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj), Longchamp has had great success in recent months with four wins from his last five starts. Today’s win was his most impressive and his first victory at black-type level.

Apprentice jockey Timothy Johnson had Longchamp just behind the early pace and then stuck to the inside to make his run at the home turn, opening up a big break on the field with 300 metres to run. North And South (NZ) (Strategic Image) and the topweight Taurus (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) came with big late runs, but neither could catch Longchamp who scored by two and a half lengths.

Longchamp is trained at Opaki by Andrew Campbell and is raced by many of the former owners of the gelding’s sire, the multiple Group 1 winner Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu). A similar group were also the original owners of another of Tavistock’s stakes-performing sons, subsequent Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (NZ).

“Longchamp has had a lot of issues but he’s a great horse,” Campbell said. “This is a hell of a thrill. I’m so proud of all the people who have helped with this horse. Everyone has done a great job with him behind the scenes.”

Campbell added that he would now aim Longchamp at the Group 1 Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings on August 27.

“We’ll just see how he pulls up,” he said. “But we’ve always been looking at the first race at Hastings, so I’d say we’ll go for that.”

Longchamp was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, who stand Tavistock at Cambridge Stud, along with Letmar Investments Pty Ltd. The gelding is one of four winning foals from the Danehill mare Shot At The Title (NZ).

Purchased by Campbell for $40,000 at the 2013 Select Sale, Longchamp has now won six of his 16 starts and more than $139,000 in stakes.