More Stakes Success for NZB Graduates

Deserved Group Win for The Mitigator

Unwanted at the 2016 Ready to Run Sale, The Mitigator (Master of Design) has developed into one of New Zealand’s toughest and most consistent gallopers. On Saturday his efforts were rewarded with a first Group win.

Trained by Peter McKay and ridden by his son Shaun, the five-year-old ran his rivals into the ground in the $70,000 Group Three Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie.

The rest of the field never looked like reeling in The Mitigator, who led all the way and won by half a length. He stopped the clock at a rapid 1:33.18.

“He’s very, very honest and deserved to get a race like this today,” trainer Peter McKay said.

“Sometimes they will take him on in front, and often they end up running back last while he fights on. He just tries and tries, so he deserves that one.”

The Mitigator was offered at the 2016 Ready to Run Sale with a $100,000 reserve, but he was passed in.

He has now had 29 starts for six wins, 12 placings and $220,975 in prize-money. Prior to Saturday’s win, he had placed in this year’s Group Two Rich Hill Mile (1600m), Group Three Spring Sprint (1400m) and Group Two Tauranga Stakes (1600m).

The Mitigator is now likely to shoot for Group One glory in the $200,000 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

More Stakes Success for Oaks winner Sentimental Miss (NZ)

$40,000 Karaka yearling purchase Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man) is back in the form that made her a Group One winner last season, capturing Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m).

Saturday’s black-type victory took Sentimental Miss past $300,000 in stakes – almost eight times her purchase price.

Trained by Lisa Latta for owners the Go Racing Yesteryear Syndicate, Sentimental Miss was bought out of The Oaks Stud’s draft at the 2017 Select Sale.

She was a quality performer in her three-year-old season, winning the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and placing in the Group Two Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Group Three Wellington Stakes (1600m).

After sitting in midfield on Saturday behind a strong pace, Sentimental Miss moved off the rail in the straight to make her run down the outside. With Kozzi Asano in the saddle, she overpowered Hunta Pence (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) in the last 150 metres and scored by three-quarters of a length.

“It was a very good win,” Go Racing’s Matt Allnutt told NZ Racing Desk. “The signs were there after her last run that she might be on the way back, and that was certainly the case.

“She does go best at this time of the year, but to see the way she picked them up so comfortably in the run home was just fantastic and a big thrill.”

Mapperley Stud will offer a Pins half-brother to Sentimental Miss at Karaka 2020, going through the ring as Lot 134 during the Book 1 session.