Stockman (NZ) Too Strong in McKell Cup

Well-related Karaka graduate Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock) lived up to his bloodlines with a potent performance to claim his first stakes win in Saturday’s A$150,000 Listed XXXX WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill. 

A half-brother to Group One performers Miss Scarlatti (NZ) (Stravinsky) and Abidewithme (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), and closely related to 10-time Listed winner Destiny’s Kiss (Power of Destiny), Stockman was a $175,000 purchase from Cambridge Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2018. Saturday’s success was the fifth win of his 21-start career, with another eight placings and A$311,765 in stakes.

Fourth in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) and second in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) in recent appearances, Stockman was sent out as favourite for Saturday’s staying feature.

Ridden by Sam Clipperton, the four-year-old surged out of the back half of the field to move into third as the field rounded the home turn. While others began to labour in the rain-affected ground, Stockman charged to the front and forged clear in the straight to win by a length and a quarter.

“He showed a good turn of foot at the end,” Clipperton said. “He just excels in this ground and he's been racing in great form.

“It was a bit of a concern dropping back from 2400 to 2000 metres, but when the barriers came out, I was really confident that he wasn't going to have to give away that three or four lengths at the start – he could hold a spot. And the race just panned out perfectly for him.”

Joe Pride, who trains Stockman for Proven Thoroughbreds, now has his eye on the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 3.

“They really ran along in this race today,” Pride said. “The wildcard there, Mr Marathon Man (So You Think), going up there and putting pressure on really strung them out, and you could see a long way out that Stockman was pretty comfortable.”