8 Win Saturday - Skew Wiff Kick Starts a Magic Day

Te Akau owners celebrated a vintage day with six wins in New Zealand (inlcuding two Group wins) and two to follow from our Singapore stable. The first of the four-wins at Matamata came through the tenacity of Skew Wiff ...

Stakes' placed Skew Wiff (3 f Savabeel - Starvoia, by Starcraft) signalled her readiness for stronger competition following a smart victory in the $30,000 Rich Hill Stud Rating 65 1200 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

Impressive winning her Maiden over 1200 metres in October at Tauranga, Skew Wiff produced a mighty run for second to Legarto (Proisir) in the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, and freshened since being overhauled in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. 

A quality filly bred and owned by Waikato Stud, Skew Wiff secured a nice spot on the outer for rider Opie Bosson, ranged to level when circling for the run home and proved too classy after quickening to lead at the 300m. 

“She's not easy, but I love her,” said Bosson, on unsaddling, of a filly that at times has done things wrong at the start.

On footing upgraded to Heavy9 prior to the event, Skew Wiff ran 1200 metres in 1:12.8, last 600m 35, and returned $3.20 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“She has been a bit difficult to manage, but slowly getting better mentally, has good ability and great to train another winner for Waikato Stud,” said trainer Mark Walker. 

“They breed great horses, year in and year out, and we will concentrate on getting to Trentham on Oaks Day for the Group One mile.”

Walker was referring to the $350,000 Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday 18 March at Trentham. 

Skew Wiff is the first foal from impressive stakes winning sprinter Starvoia (Starcraft), and carries a sire line cross of the brilliant Nureyev (Northern Dancer), a stallion renowned for injecting quality into any breed, the ability to accelerate and some beautiful movers. 

Waikato Stud owner Mark Chittick said: “Thank you to Rich Hill Stud, especially John and Colleen and the Thompson family, all here today on what is a fantastic race day on the local calendar.

“There is so much that goes into the racing industry from everyone local and it's lovely to get a winner.

“We bought her mother out of the South Island and Skew Wiff was her first foal. She was being prepared for the Book 1 Sale at Karaka, and Te Akau had already shown interest in her. 

“But as we got closer to the sales it became evident that she had a couple of X-ray issues, so we had to withdraw her and races ourselves. 

“I'd always known the family as we had the fourth dam, Meant for Me (Noble Bijou), here on the farm for Scotty Williams. You give them a bit of time and the old families come back.”

Chittick also reported that Waikato Stud has a Super Seth (Dundeel) filly out of Starvoia and that she is in foal to Noverre (Savabeel).

Sponsor John Thompson said: “My father (Colin Thompson), still with us at 94, was president of the club and one of the founders of the Matamata Breeders' Stakes with his great mate Jack Lindsay and this day really does mean a lot to us as a family.

“Skew Wiff, congratulations to Mark (Chittick) and Waikato Stud, who put so much back into the industry and deserve every success.

“Thanks to the Matamata Racing Club, and to Mark Walker and Opie Bosson, who, as we've come to expect, presented the filly immaculately.”

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM said: “You know you've always got a chance when you put their colours on race day. 

“We loved this filly from the first time we laid eyes on her, but unfortunately she was withdrawn from the yearling sales, and we're proud to have the opportunity to train her.

“We really appreciate the support of Waikato Stud, great to win races for them, and she'll go into the Levin Classic as a nice chance.”

Skew Wiff was strapped by Kendyll Lee, who collected the prize for best presented horse. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz