Kiwi Group 1 Double In Adelaide

18 May 2004

Kiwi Group 1 Double In Adelaide
Press Release 18 May 2004

Adelaide Cup day at Morphettville proved to be hugely successful for New Zealand bred horses and in particular, Rich Hill Stud. The Walton (near Matamata) based nursery stood Bahhare and stands Pentire who sired the winners of the Group 1 South Australian Oaks and the Group 1 SAJC Adelaide Cup respectively.

The running of the Group 1 South Australian Oaks saw New Zealand-bred fillies Dowry (NZ) (Bahhare x Meant For Me) and Tingirana (NZ) (Generous x Shy Lizzy) provide the quinella in the 2500m event. The New Zealand bred, owned and trained Dowry went to Adelaide after winning the Group 3 Manawatu Classic but had finished down the track in her first two starts in Australia.

Despite being back in the field the Murray Baker-trained filly took advantage of early speed up front and came with a sweeping run to hit the lead at the 200m mark. She and jockey, Rhys McLeod, remained unassailable as they held off challenges from Tingirana and Dane Belltar.

Dowry was sold at the 2002 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale by Rich Hill Stud to bloodstock agent, Stuart Hale, for $53,000. Dowry is by the young sire son of Woodman, Bahhare, himself winner of the Grp 2 Doncaster Champagne Stakes as a 2YO in England, who shuttled to Rich Hill Stud for 3 seasons, 2000, 2001 and 2002. From his first 2 crops to race he has left a Group 2 winner in the USA, a stakes winning 2yo which also won NZ's richest 2YO event, the Mercedes Classique, Successor (NZ), as well as several stakes placed horses, including highly talented filly in the Melbourne stable of Peter Moody, and arguably unlucky not to have finished closer than 6th in yesterday's SA Oaks, Star of Gretchen (NZ).

Dowry, bred by David Thomas and Lorraine Smith of Davilora Lodge, together with Scott Williams of Cambridge, is from Meant For Me (who raced and won in Australia as Destined For Me), a daughter of Noble Bijou and a full sister to Group 1 AJC Oaks winner and multiple Group 1 placed mare, Our Sophia (NZ). Dowry herself is a half sister to Group 2 BOP RC Japan-New Zealand International Trophy winner and Group 1 placed horse Fatal (NZ), as at to the stakes winner Richfield Destiny (NZ). This is also the family of outstanding galloper in Australia of 2 seasons ago, Carnegie Express, winner of the Group 1 STC Canterbury Guineas and Group Rosehill Guineas.

Later in the day the SAJC Adelaide Cup provided another great result for the New Zealand breeding industry. After sitting back in the field for most of the 3200 metre event the outsider Pantani (NZ) (Pentire x Dewamar) galloped past race leader Danestorm to win by � a length.

Danestorm, had led all the way, looking impressive throughout and managed to hold on for second place. Bel Air (NZ) (Victory Dance x Hollywood Hotel) was the Kiwi favourite following his gutsy win in last weekend's Group 3 Carlton Draught Stakes. The seven-year-old gelding was sold through the New Zealand Bloodstock 1998 Festival Sale by Grand Vue Lodge for $11,000 to current part-owner and trainer Peter Walker. Ridden by Greg Childs, he fought on gamely for third place.

Pantani is a New Zealand Bloodstock 2000 Premier Sale graduate who was bred and sold by the Pike family of Longlands Stud, Cambridge, for $52,500 to his current trainer Robbie Laing of Victoria.

Pantani's victory takes on even greater significance considering he has been on a comeback campaign after fracturing a stifle which required 3 months stall rest and more than a year away from the race track.

Pantani is by Rich Hill Stud's highly successful young sire Pentire who has made a big impression on the Australasian and Japanese racing scenes with such top performers as Recurring, Zanna, Pentastic, Sir Pentire, and his Group 1 winning daughter, Penny Gem, as well as Pantani. Pantani and is from the winnng Marscay mare, Dewamar, who has also left very talented galloper St