Back-to-Back G1 Levin Classics for NZB RTR Graduates
18 January 2016
The win of promising three-year-old Dukedom (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) in Saturday’s Group 1 $225,000 Woodridge Homes Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham provided the NZB Ready to Run Sale with a second successive win in the Group 1 race.
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Dukedom winning the Group 1 Levin Classic. |
12 months ago it was Gaultier (NZ) (Rios) who was victorious in the Group 1 feature for three-year-olds, also a graduate of the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Trained by young Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole, Dukedom had been twice placed in three-year-old stakes races including a last start third in the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas.
Ridden by premiership leading rider Lisa Allpress, Dukedom settled at the tail-end of the field before making up ground across the turn. Getting clear running late in the race, he stormed to the line to win by a short head over Son of Mahar (Al Mahar) with Rangipo (Stryker) in third place. Hot favourite Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire) made the pace and, despite obviously not being happy in the ground, battled on for fourth.
The win was the first Group 1 winner for horseman Cole who has held a trainers licence for only 18 months.
“It was great to get a Group 1 winner so early in my career,” the elated Cole said. “He’ll be heading off to the paddock for a week of rest and we’ll head to the Group 2 Avondale Guineas and the Group 1 New Zealand Derby on March 5.”
This was Dukedom’s second win and he’s yet to be placed further back than fourth in six starts, earning $160,050 for owners David and Sheryl Cole, Steven’s parents.
Cole purchased the Bachelor Duke gelding for $65,000 at the 2014 NZB Ready to Run Sale from The Oaks Stud for $65,000.
Bred by Mrs KJ & MH Dalgleish, Dukedom is out of the unraced mare Bianca Bay (Bianconi), a half-sister to Australian stakes performers Celtic Trial (Celtic Swing) and Jayemzed (Lion Cavern).
Bachelor Duke has six yearlings catalogued at next week’s National Yearling Sales Series, with three horses catalogued in each of the Select and Festival Sales.
New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales Series takes place on 25 January – 31 January. The Premier, Select and Festival catalogues are available online now or can be requested from [email protected].