Langkawi (NZ) Captures Kaimai Stakes

Racing in career-best form as a six-year-old, Karaka graduate Langkawi (NZ) (Helmet) fulfilled his long-held potential with black-type success in Saturday’s $60,000 Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m).

Bought by Peter and Kim McKay for $55,000 from Karaka 2017, Langkawi has had 43 starts for six wins, 11 placings and $212,616 in stakes. The talented gelding is trained at Matamata by Peter McKay, who shares ownership with his wife Kim, along with Steve Gudsell.

Langkawi originally showed his class as a three-year-old, winning twice and placing in another four races including the Group Two Auckland Guineas (1600m).

A lean couple of seasons followed, but now Langkawi has won three of his last four starts including Saturday’s black-type breakthrough.

Ridden by Tegan Newman, Langkawi settled in midfield before quickening in the straight and outfinishing the front-running Even Chance (NZ) (O’Reilly) for a long-head victory.

“Tegan produced an absolute pearler of a ride to get the win,” Peter McKay said. “It’s her first stakes win, and she deserves it. She had him in a beautiful spot all the way, hugged the rail and only came around the one horse in the straight.

“This was his best chance to have a crack at a race like this with such a light weight. He has been flying lately, and when he puts his mind on the job, he has a fair amount of ability.

“He had a very good three-year-old season and we were really keen to see how he would go after that, but he was pretty disappointing really. He pretty much did nothing at four and wasn’t much better at five, but this year I think he has worked out what it is all about.

“He was a happy horse today and put in a performance that was much more like his true ability.”

Langkawi comes from a talented family, being a half-brother to the Group winners Amarula (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Little Wonder (NZ) (Volksraad). His dam, the stakes-placed Shortblackmini (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), is a half-sister to Group One winners Puccini (NZ) (Encosta De Lago) and Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad).

The Kaimai Stakes was a Karaka quinella, with runner-up Even Chance bought for $200,000 from the 2017 Select Sale.