Albatross Takes Flight

Big, strong, with class to boot, Albatrossv(3 f Sacred Falls - Bint Piavonic, by Encosta de Lago) recorded a debut victory in the $12,000 Mobil Carterton Maiden 1200 metres on 10 February at Hastings.

Having remained held together in a strong finish to win at the trials on 11 January at Cambridge (poly-track), Albatross had her intended debut abandoned last Sunday at Tauranga, but it mattered little.

Ridden by in form Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, Albatross displayed both newness and keenness racing handily, but once balanced she put in big bounds to secure victory by two and three-quarter lengths.

Handling slow ground, as progeny by Sacred Falls (O'Reilly) have shown to do, Albatross ran 1200 metres in 1:13.9, dropped in betting to pay $1.40 & $1.20 and justified the support without concern.

“She's taken a while to grow into her sizeable frame, but trials have been great. She had a jump out since her last trial to keep her up to the mark and she was ready to go,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“I thought she performed very well. She's a big striding, free-wheeling sort of filly that hasn't quite got it all under control yet. She's got a big action, but we were really pleased with the way she got it done and Joe (Kamaruddin) gave her a good ride.

“She's not the easiest to manage at the stables and Nicole (Shailer) and Sam (Bergerson) at the Middle Barn have done a good job with her.

“It's a great result for bloodstock manager Geoff Roan and the other owners involved, and it looks as though they have the makings of a nice filly.”

Albatross is a half-sister to former stable-mate Excitonic (Savabeel), winner of three races to 1400 metres. By four-time Group 1 winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), dam Bint Piavonic (Enosta De Lago) is a daughter of terrific nine-time winner Piavonic (Scenic), who defeated Sunline (Desert Sun) and Falvelon (Alannon) in the Manikato Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). Bint Piavonic has now left four individual winners of eight races.

Dam sire Encosta de Lago (Fairy King) is a Champion Broodmare Sire, setting an Australian record in 2019 for progeny earnings in a single season. His influence in the pedigree is distinguished, along with that of breed shaping sire Northern Dancer.

“She looked very classy winning today and showed a fair bit of quality,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM. “I'm very pleased for her owners and they'll be looking forward to seeing what level she can progress to.

“It was another top ride by Joe (Kamaruddin). He's such a good young man. He rode yesterday at Ruakaka, drove home and rode work this morning at Matamata, before he went down to Hawkes Bay. He's riding again on Friday at Awapuni and Saturday at Te Rapa, and it's so good to see all his hard work paying off.

“He's such a great person and I'm so proud to have him in the stable. He's really coming to it with his riding, he's confident in his decision making and he's riding plenty of winners.

“It's fantastic to have a horse in the stable for Geoff Roan and his friends, and they do things really well.”

Albatross was strapped by Paul Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz