In a Twinkling Stars in Counties Cup

Group One-performed Karaka graduate In a Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) starred again on Saturday with a front-running victory in the $100,000 Group Three Ssangyong Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe.

Bought for $250,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, the gifted gelding showed his quality as a three-year-old with a strong-finishing fourth in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), a gutsy second in the Group Two Avondale Guineas (2100m), a close second in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) and a fifth in the Group One Australian Derby (2400m).

In a Twinkling returned to top form with a win at Te Rapa in late October, and Saturday’s Counties Cup was more of the same.

Sent straight to the lead by star jockey Opie Bosson, In a Twinkling controlled the race from the front. After slowing the tempo down the back straight, he upped the ante near the home turn and forged ahead.

In a Twinkling kept going strongly all the way to the finish line and the chasers were unable to reel him in, with runner-up Cutadeel (Dundeel) finishing a length and a quarter behind.

In a Twinkling has now had 17 starts for three wins and four placings, and he has surpassed his purchase price with $383,651 in prize-money.

“He’s got really good form as a three-year-old,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “He had very good form in Australia.

“He’s had a bit of a frustrating run of seconds and been unlucky here and there, so this is really good for the team. He has a future as a stayer, with some nice races coming up.”