3 Win Saturday - Cognito Cruises Home

Stylishly justifying favouritism, Cognito (6 g So You Think – Lady Primrose, by by More Than Ready) won the $50,000 Open Handicap 1800 metres on Saturday at Riccarton - the third winner on the programme for the team!

A former Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) winner and dual course winner, Cognito had resumed with a terrific victory in the Open Handicap 1580 metres on the course in August, and notched the third win on the card for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson.

Ridden by Opie Bosson, who was aboard both previous stable winners, War Of Silence and Hooray For Harry, Cognito travelled sweetly back in the field and once presented wide out in the straight he unleashed an undeniable finish.

Scoring in easier fashion than the three-quarter length margin suggested, Cognito ran 1800 metres in 1:50.5 on footing that remained Soft5 throughout the day, and returned $2.60 & $1.30 in the race named NZ Horse Ambulance Winter Appeal.

Given his stakes' race record, Cognito had the wood on rivals and now that his back is in order, as mentioned by Walker following his fresh-up win, he is racing in fine fettle.

“It’s really good to see him back in this sort of form,” Walker said. “He showed so much in his three-year-old season, winning and finishing second here in the Listed War Decree Stakes (1600m).

“It has been frustrating with him since then, but after he had the kissing spine surgery to fix his back pain he’s come back like a new horse.

“His first-up win suggested he was free of the injury and it was another really good win, today.

“He’s enjoying being down in our South Island stable at Riccarton, Hunter (Durrant) and the team have got him going really well, and he’ll get up to 2000 metres next start.

“He’s really starting to fulfil the potential he’s always had, since winning on debut, and it was a very confident ride, today, by Opie (Bosson).”

The next race in mind for Cognito is likely to be the $50,000 North Canterbury Cup (Open Handicap, 2000m) on Saturday 27 September at Riccarton.

Now the winner of six races, Cognito is owned by the Te Akau Think Ahead Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), having been purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $165,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

“I’m thrilled for the owners and everyone involved with the horse that he has resumed this campaign with two really good wins,” Ellis said.

“He’s always been a good horse and still pretty lightly raced, but performing the back surgery has worked the oracle and he seems better than ever.

“It’s good to see because he’s got a nomination for the $250,000 Group 3 TAB Racing Club Mile (1600m) here during Cup Week in November, and he’s the type of horse that can stretch out to 2000 metres beforehand and then be freshened for a mile.

“So, we’ll see what happens and what Mark and Sam plan to do, but just great to see him back feeling good and racing well.”

Built in the mould of 10-time Group One winning sire So You Think (High Chaparral), and from a mare by international stallion More Than Ready (Southern Halo), Cognito carries a bloodline cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer.

Dam Lady Primrose has also left five-time winner Presser (Press Statement) and dual winner Hard Lady (All Too Hard), both in Australia, while grand-dam Primrose Sands, by Champion Sire and Broodmare Sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram), was a stakes winner and Group Two placed over 2000 metres – winning nine times, including eight in succession, from 1200m to 2000m – and left three winners of eight races.

Cognito was strapped by Ruby Rae-Wood. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz