5 Win Saturday - Puketiro Just Perfect

Making it three wins from four starts, Puketiro (3 f Savabeel - Matakana, by Mastercraftsman) put paid to a good field in the $30,000 Tuatahi First Fibre 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Showing a class factor when winning impressively on debut, Puketiro was given time (42 days) by trainer Mark Walker after winning the Rating 65 1400 metres on 1 March at Awapuni, and shared favouritism with stable-mates I Choose You (I Am Invincible) and Petrucci (I Am Invincible), who finished second and fourth respectively.

Ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Puketiro trailed fourth from barrier one, was pushed up turning for home, and showed a turn of foot in keeping with the best as she exploded between runners and burst clear.

On Soft5 footing, Puketiro ran 1200 metres in 1:12.0, last 600m in 34.8, and paid $6.20 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was another really nice performance,” Walker said. “She's been a bit highly strung, so she's a work in progress, but she just keeps improving and has any amount of ability.”

Bred by Christopher Grace QSM who shares in the ownership with his wife Susanna, 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, Grace is a well known identity in New Zealand farming and racing circles as a breeder of quality thoroughbreds.

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 looks another stakes' performer in the making. 

Puketiro is a sister to Tauparae, and Invincibeel, mentioned above, with the latter purchased by David Ellis MNZM for $145,000, from draft of Little Avondale Stud, at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale. 

Winner at a mile and potential stakes quality in making, Invincibeel is owned by Bill & Jim Gartshore, who experienced Group One success with stable-mate Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) when she won the 2021 Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m). 

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 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 was strapped by Amit Gujar. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz