3 Win Wednesday - Kingpin Kabugee

Far from lacking ability, Kabugee (5 g Satono Aladdin – Kabuki, by Shinko King) was back to his best when taking out the $25,000 West Fitzroy Apartments Rating 75 1400 metres on 19 February at Riccarton.

Kabugee had provided the first victory for his sire Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact) in New Zealand, when winning impressively on debut as a two-year-old at Te Aroha, and resumed where he left off when winning fresh-up as a three-year-old, while proving competitive at stakes' level.

Although his best form escaped him at times, he was a course/distance winner earlier in the season and appeared ideally drawn (3) to show improvement. 

Ridden by Michael McNab, who scored earlier on the card aboard two-year-old stable-mate Best Rose (Maurice), Kabugee travelled well when progressing to a trailing position behind the leader inside the 600m and was out in good time to sustain a strong gallop, winning comfortably by one and three-quarter lengths.

“They (trainers) said before I got on him that he doesn’t mind having a day off if you let him, so I didn’t let him have the day off and he duly obliged,” McNab said.

“He was good. He got a perfect trip, was able to build to his top and sustain that.”

On footing upgraded the race beforehand to Soft6, conditions that suited Kabugee, with his liking for some give in the ground, he ran 1400 metres in 1:23.4 and held firm in betting to pay $10.30 & $3.40 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Kabugee was bred by Graeme Hunt (Cambridge Hunt Ltd) and is shared in ownership with brothers Barry and Peter, along with TAB bookmaker Stephen Hunt and family and friends in the Kabugee 2020 Syndicate.

On course, Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker, said: “He’s a hard horse to work out and he’s put in a few shockers.

“First-up was disappointing, where he got back and had a bit of a bludge, but up to 1400 metres and a positive ride to put him in the race and it switched him on.

“He was very good late and it was almost D-Day, so I’m pleased to see him do that and hopefully he can gain confidence and go on with it. 

“Michael (McNab) was able to get him into a good position from the draw. He travelled lovely and he’s won quite well.

“He will remain in the Rating 75 grade, so we’ll pick out a nice Saturday race. 

“Well done to the owners. Their patience was wearing thin, but he rewarded them today, so well done to Stephen Hunt and the team.”

Kabugee is out of stakes' performed mare Kabuki, an impressive winner over 1400 metres and half-sister to Champion Sire Tavistock (Montjeu), who has left three individual winners of 10 races, including smart dual winner Akerra (Ekraar), and recent consecutive winner Danjuro (Saxon Warrior). 

Kabugee was strapped by Grace Stevenson.  

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