Whale Song (NZ) Delivers in Easter Cup

Low-priced Karaka purchase Whale Song (NZ) (Ocean Park) claimed the biggest win of his career with a bold performance in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Christchurch Casino Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton.

Bought by co-trainer and part-owner Michael Pitman for only $10,000 from Waikato Stud’s draft at the 2017 Select Sale, Whale Song has now had 23 starts for five wins, nine placings and $114,753 in stakes.

Whale Song was ridden on Saturday by apprentice jockey Wiremu Pinn, who positioned him in midfield beside the rail through the early stages of the race.

Most of the field came wide around the home turn in search of better footing, but Pinn stayed closer to the rail and saved crucial ground.

Whale Song surged through the inside and made his claim from the 200-metre mark, outfighting Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto) and this season’s multiple stakes winner Belle Fascino (NZ) (Per Incanto) to prevail in a three-way photo finish.

“He’s been knocking on the door all season and we thought he had a nice race in him,” co-trainer Matthew Pitman told NZ Racing Desk.

“He ran a super race in the Timaru Cup (Listed, 1600m, finishing fourth) back in December and has been competitive in good company ever since then.

“He’s a horse who has taken time to mature, and I think you still won’t see the best of him until the spring.

“There were a lot of chances late in the race, and the ride by Wiremu Pinn was what got him home. He got him through the difficult track conditions well and followed Dad’s (Michael Pitman’s) instructions to the letter.

“We do think he can get further in time, because he went well for second over 1800 metres last time. That run probably got him fit for today, where the mile on a wet track was pretty tough.”

Runner-up Lightning Jack was also a Karaka purchase, bought for $8,000 at the 2018 May Sale. He has had 15 starts for five wins, five placings and $152,862 in stakes.