Chenille Heads Karaka Graduate Trifecta in Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup

Exciting stayer Chenille (NZ) (Pentire) scored her first stakes success in Saturday’s $70,000 Listed Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup (2200m) at Hastings, leading home a trifecta of Karaka graduates in the historic handicap.

The four-year-old mare powered home from well back in the field in an impressive display of stamina and class, running down the leader Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and drawing away to win by a length and a half.

Chenille’s winning time of 2:12.89 was a new 2200-metre track record at Hastings.

The win was Chenille’s fifth from 17 career starts, and her third from her last five appearances.

“She’s a very promising stayer,” said trainer Tony Pike, who also bred and part-owns the mare along with his parents Vicki and Wayne.

“She’s got a stakes win under her belt now and she’s done a very good job in this campaign. We’ll give her a good break now and then get her ready for the big staying races next season.”

Chenille is out of the Pikes’ mare Charmed (NZ) (O’Reilly), who is also the dam of their Group 2 winner Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel).

Chenille was offered at the 2013 Premier Sale by the Pikes’ Longlands Stud, and she was purchased by Sydney trainer Chris Waller for $55,000 before returning to Tony Pike’s Cambridge stable.

The Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup win boosted Chenille’s stake earnings to $138,025.

Runner-up Saint Emilion was passed in at the 2013 Select Sale. He is now the winner of eight races and $125,645.

Group 1 winner Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel) finished third, her best performance in a stakes race since she won last year’s New Zealand Oaks. Bought for $110,000 at the 2013 Premier Sale, Savaria has won four races and more than $260,000 in stakes-money.