5 Wins in 24 Hrs - Cognoscenti You Cracker

Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson recorded their third win on the programme, when Cognoscenti (4 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye, by Fasnet Rock) scored stylishly in the $40,000 Syncroflex Rating 65 1600 metres on 5 December at Riccarton.

Following wins by stable-mates Hello Bess (Hello Youmzain) and High Roller (Ace High), Cognoscenti paraded in terrific order and appeared trained to the minute for the assignment.

A Maiden winner over 1400 metres in December last year at Matamata, Cognoscenti was unable to quicken in the Rating 65 1600 metres on the first day of Cup Week (8 Nov.) at Riccarton, but relished his first start on the poly-track in order to record a second win from 11 starts.

Ridden by Bruno Queiroz, who secured a hat-trick for the stable, Cognoscenti began well from barrier 10 to assume the lead, travelled sweetly while dictating terms, and had the measure of his rivals in the straight when drawing out to win well.

It was another excellent ride by the Brazilian jockey, who has a grand affiliation with the poly-tracks, and with the stable, and it was the performance of a horse with more to come. 

On the poly-track, Cognoscenti ran 1600 metres in 1:38.4 and justified favouritism to pay $3.10 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was really good to get another win with Cognoscenti and, obviously, a really good tactical ride of Bruno’s,” Walker said.

“Well done to the Canterbury Jockey Club, it's put some good stake money up and the racing has been very competitive.

“He’s been a bit of a frustrating horse, Cognoscenti. He’s certainly got galloping ability, although hasn’t always put in one-hundred percent, but Hunter (Durrant) and the team at our stables at Riccarton have really got him going well.

“It’s great for the owners to see him win again and hopefully he can take confidence from it and keep improving.”

Owned by the Te Akau Bid You Farewell Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Cognoscenti was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000 at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park. 

He is from the first crop of outstanding juvenile Castelvecchio, winner of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m), Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), and runner-up in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), a the son of the Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, Dundeel (High Chaparral). 

Cognoscenti is the first foal of a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), with his grand-dam Samarmeteors being by ill-fated sire of sires Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago), the sire of Champion Sire Zoustar.

“He was nice type of horse when we bought him, by a young sire (Castelvecchio) that was a top racehorse and already proved a great success at Arrowfield Stud,” Ellis said. 

“He had a lot of natural substance and out of a Fastnet Rock mare, which is hard to beat, and although he’s taken time to mature and hit his straps as a racehorse, it looks like he’s getting there now.

“It was terrific for our South Island stable to produce three winners on the day, which had good prize money on offer, and Hunter (Durrant) and the team are doing a great job.”

Cognoscenti has a nicely balanced and simple bloodline cross through his sire-lines of immortal stallion Northern Dancer.

Cognoscenti was strapped by Molly Coutts.

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