Qian Gua Great

Qian Gua (3 g Cape Blanco - Cool Diamond, by One Cool Cat) made it two wins from three starts on 18 April at Matamata, with a strong performance in the $10,000 Matamata Glass & Joinery Rating 65 1600 metres.

Never an easy transition to win immediately in a higher grade, especially when increasing in weight, Qian Gua managed to do both, having won the Maiden 1600 metres at the same venue on 28 March.

On footing rated Heavy 10, although not overly deep, as the 1.39.3 and last 600m in 39.1 times attested to, Qian Gua was given a lovely ride in the conditions by Cameron Lammas. Across from barrier seven to position in fifth, Qian Gua travelled under a hold, improving from the 600m to challenge rounding the home turn and he sustained a strong finish to find the front 100m out.

While second placed Suliman was closing to his outer, Lammas had victory sewn up. Installed the second favourite, behind third placed Princess Origami (Mastercraftsman), Qian Gua paid $4.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB.

“It was a very good win and the favourite became under a bit of pressure when I came up beside her into the straight,” Lammas said. “I kept him out a bit wider on the better ground. He travelled up the whole race and quickened nicely in the straight. He got through the ground alright and showed he can handle it.”

Not the first horse by his sire, Cape Blanco (Galileo), to show an aptitude for rain-affected going, Qian Gua emulated his dam, Cool Diamond, who powered home to win her Maiden in Heavy11 going, clocking 1:16.7 for 1200 metres, also at Matamata.

Quan Gua continued the run for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, becoming their 17 winner in the past six weeks and holding down second with a clear margin in the premiership.

In training for Mr. Shuping Hon, Mr. Qian Yu and the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry, he was purchased by Mr. Hon at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from a terrific Cambridge Stud family that includes Capital Diamond, Diamond Lover, Tristalove, and stallions: Don Eduardo, Viking Ruler, and Viscount.

“He's a horse we've had an opinion of,” Richards said. “He's obviously got a few tricks up his sleeve and a work in progress, but he was a lot better today in terms of how he paraded and went to the start and he walked into the barrier nicely with the blindfold on. Then he jumped away well and Cameron (Lammas) got him into a nice rhythm.

“We feel he has the makings of a staying sort of horse. It was good to see him get through the ground, and we owe plenty of thanks to Mr. Hon, Mr. Yu, and Mr. Wolf who entrusted us with training him and also to Victoria Wang, who we deal with regularly regarding the Rider Horse Group.

“We think he's a horse that can work through the grades, providing he's handled patiently, and winning two from his first three starts is a great effort.”

Richards also paid tribute to Mason Stevens and Teina Walters, for their efforts in managing the barn where Qian Gua is stabled. “It's another win for their barn, and his track riders Shafiq and Kelly Price deserve plenty of credit because he's not an easy horse to work with but they've got him going really well”.

Qian Gua was strapped by Jamie Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz