Karaka Graduate Pump Up The Volume (NZ) Triumphs in New Zealand Cup

Pump Up The Volume (NZ) (Savabeel), who was secured for a mere $14,000 and $10,000 in his two visits to the Karaka Sales ring, has boosted his stakes earnings past $380,000 with a hard-fought win in Saturday’s $250,000 Group 3 Christchurch Casino 153rd New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton.

Trained and part-owned by Ralph Manning in Cambridge, Pump Up The Volume had already established a reputation as a stayer of considerable quality – he had won seven races including the Group 3 Rotorua Cup (2200m) and a last-start success in the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m). But victory in Saturday’s time-honoured staying feature was the pinnacle.

Rider Kelly McCulloch positioned Pump Up The Volume towards the rear of the field before beginning her move around 800 metres from home.

In the straight it turned into a battle between a trio of fast-finishing Karaka graduates – Pump Up The Volume, Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) and Imperium (Encosta De Lago). Pump Up The Volume lunged for the line and beat Perfect Start by a thrilling half-head, with Imperium third.

“He’s just an absolute gun horse,” McCulloch said. “He’s a pleasure to ride. He went to the sleep in the early part of the race, and then I got on to the back of the favourite and I knew I was travelling better than him.

“He really deserves this win.”

Bred by Waikato Stud, Pump Up The Volume is by Savabeel out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Nat The Brat (NZ) (Racing Is Fun).

Waikato Stud offered Pump Up The Volume as part of an Unreserved Reduction Sale at the 2009 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, where he fetched $14,000.

He then returned as part of Raequin Park’s draft at the 2010 Select Sale, where Manning purchased him for $10,000.

Raced by Manning in partnership with Tony Coombe, Pump Up The Volume has had 51 starts for eight wins, 11 seconds, seven thirds and $386,410 in prize-money.

Runner-up Perfect Start was passed in at the 2011 Select Sale, failing to meet her $25,000 reserve. She has won eight races and more than $340,000 in stakes.

Imperium, a son of the champion mare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm), sold at the 2013 Premier Sale. He is the winner of three races and $61,000 in prize-money to date.