3 Win Trans-Tasman Thursday - Puketiro Perfect
2 January, 2025
Grey mare Puketiro (5 m Savabeel – Matakana, by Mastercraftsman) was back in business with a second-up victory in the $18,500 Stonewood Homes Rating 75 1200 metres on 2 January at Tauranga.
After quickening well for a close second in a trial on 18 November at Waipa, Puketiro ran on without threatening when resuming in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 28 November at Otaki, but the previous course/distance winner nonetheless rated a top three chance, given her proven talent.
Trailing a field of six and standing the leader six lengths at the 600m, Puketiro quickened into a gap turning for home under rider Craig Grylls and sprinted hard in order to reel in pace making race favourite I’m All In (Zoustar).
In the same race, stable-mate Baronet (Contributer) resumed with a good effort off the trail to finish third, with other stable-mate Not Straight Laced (Turn Me Loose) filling the fourth spot.
“There was good speed and I was happy to sit off them,” Grylls said. “Once she got clear she let down and won really well.
“Quite often they gain confidence out of winning and hopefully that’s a case with her.”
On Good4 footing, Puketiro ran 1200 metres in 1:10.7, last 600m in 33.9 (approx.), and paid $3.00 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote, $4.20 fixed, and now recorded six wins from 13 starts.
“It was great to see her return to winning form today,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson.
“She does go well on the fresh side and had worked well since her first-up run at Otaki.
“It’s always great to train winners for Christopher and Susanna Grace, and their green and gold colours have been carried by some very good horses throughout Australasia.
“We’ll keep her on the fresh side and find another suitable race.”
Bred by Christopher Grace QSM, Puketiro is shared in ownership by Grace with his wife Susanna, along with I J & J F Cameron, D W Dalziell, A E Falloon, J R & L D Griffith, G Jones, J E & S J McKenzie, and B C & T D White.
Through the deeds of Shillelagh (Savabeel), Precious Time (Stravinsky), Grazia (Savabeel), Dreamer (More Than Ready), Motivation (Mastercraftsman), Spirit Of Galway (Rip Van Winkle), Tauparae (Savabeel), and Invincibeel (Savabeel), Te Akau has built a long term relationship with horses either bred or owned by Grace, and Puketiro certainly has the ability to compete again this season in stakes races.
Grace is a well-known identity in New Zealand farming and racing circles, as a breeder of quality thoroughbreds, and recently hit the headlines when selling a southern hemisphere record priced colt for $1.65 million.
At the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale in November at Karaka, Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM bought the I Am Invincible – Shillelagh colt, bred by Grace, who retained a share in the ownership.
Puketiro is a sister to Tauparae and Invincibeel, with the latter purchased by Ellis for $145,000, from draft of Little Avondale Stud, at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and although saluting only once she was a mare with ability to exceed that.
The pedigree has a beautiful cross of legendary stallion Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor), on the sire line, as sire of Zabeel (Sir Tristram), and dam line of Matakana as sire of third dam sire Grosvenor (Sir Tristram).
From a family that has proven to produce the real deal, Puketiro is by eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from a young mare by successful sire Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer), who is also dam sire of Group One winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible).
Her grand dam, Taitanium, by NZ 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) winner and renowned sire Kingdom Bay (Otehi Bay), was an impressive five-time winner to 1600 metres and stakes' placed at 2000 metres, who subsequently left four winners of 14 races including Wellington Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Graphic (Volksraad).
“Puketiro has been patiently handled by Mark and Sam and although last season we thought she might be a bit more competitive at stakes' level, she’s now got a chance this season to get there,” said David Ellis, who along with Walker, racing manager Reece Trumper, and bloodstock agent Marcus Corban, has arrived in Australia, preparing for the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale which takes place on 7 – 13 January.
“Christopher Grace is a great farmer and horse breeder. We enjoy training for him and Susanna, have had some memorable successes, and we were thrilled to buy the beautiful colt he bred at the Ready to Run Sale.
“We’ve got the colt in work at Matamata, and he’s progressing towards a jump out in January.”
Puketiro was strapped by Rasheed Alam.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz