New Zealand-breds have more than held their own in stakes
races across Australia this season and Pretty Pins and Amexed continued the trend
at Doomben on Saturday.
Patinack Farm's five-year-old Pins (pictured ) mare Pretty Pins stared
her career in Brisbane winning four of her first seven starts but she had added
just more victory in 19 starts when she lined up in the Group III Chairman's
Hcp (2000m).
Under an inspired Ryan Wiggins ride, Pretty Pins defeated
the favourite Danchai (GB) (Authorized) by two lengths with a half-length to
Brave Ali (O'Reilly) in third.
"She seems to have thrived back in Queensland,"
winning trainer Thompson told AAP.
"I don't know whether it is the sunshine or she just
feel happy being back here but she has really done well up here.
"But if you really want to talk about the race I would
give Ryan 12 out of 10 for his ride. He ended up going around one horse in the
straight after coming from the outside alley."
"This was going to be her grand final so I suppose we
will just have to see what is around for her."
A $280,000 purchase by Patinack Farm out of the Trelawney
Stud draft at the NZ Bloodstock Premier Yearling sale, Pretty Pins takes her
overall record to 6 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 27 starts for earnings of $285,400.
She is a half-sister to Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner Allez
Wonder (Redoute's Choice) out of the Group II Perth Cup winner Luna Tudor
(Military Plume).
Also earning his first stakes win was the Tony
Gollan-trained Amexed who could have hardly been more impressive in the Group
III Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2000m).
The lightly raced 3-year-old son of Pentire (pictured) had broken his
maiden at his previous start at the Sunshine Coast.
Ridden by Michael Rodd, Amexed defeat the Donna
Logan-trained filly Telepathic by a long-neck with the Shaune Ritchie-trained Glorious
Lad 1 ¼-length back in third.
"He was only third-up over 2000 metres today so there's
plenty of improvement in him yet," Gollan said.
"The Grand Prix here in a fortnight will top him
perfectly for the Derby."
"I've never had a Derby runner before but he's a very
promising three-year-old."
"With these well-bred horses you throw them in the deep
end and he swam really well today."
A $210,000 purchase by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock out of the
Hallmark stud draft at the 2012 NZ Bloodstock Premier Yearling sale at Karaka, Amexed
is a half-brother to the Group III placed Digital Fortress (Savabeel) who
finished fourth in the Victoria Derby.
His dam Danex (Danasinga) was also talented winning over
2000m and finishing third in the Group II Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and
fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.
