ANZAC Group 2 Victory

The Informant reports on Te Akau's latest Group 2 victory today -

On the centenary of the Anzac forces' landing at Gallipoli when the hymn Abide With Me was sung this morning at commemorative services throughout Australasia, a racehorse named after the moving composition was the fitting winner of the highest rated race contested in New Zealand on Anzac Day.

Abidewithme, bred and owned by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan and trained by Jason Bridgman, provided jockey Michael McNab with the first black-type win of his career in the Gr. 2 Travis Stakes at Te Rapa.

The special win struck a chord with all those present on the Cambridge Jockey Club's big raceday of the season, not least of all Sir Patrick Hogan. The master of Cambridge Stud, past president and life member of the host club, is also a trustee of the trust that manages the legacy supporting today's fillies and mares' feature.

Earlier in today's programme as the co-breeder of Shees Flawless, Sir Patrick had added the Gr. 3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes to his list, but the Travis Stakes victory by Abidewithme was a personal highlight.

“I don't think I've had a horse that deserves a big one as much as her,” he said. “To get in this race on my own club's big day is very special.”

Abidewithme, a daughter of champion Australian stallion Redoute's Choice from Hogan's stakes-winning Zabeel mare Crimson, backed up today after a sixth placing in the Gr. 1 Easter Handicap last Saturday. Two weeks earlier she had finished third in the Gr. 1 Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha.

Despite that busy schedule, Bridgman presented the five-year-old in superb condition for the step up to 2000 metres.

“You need things to work out on the day for her and today everything fell into place,” said Bridgman. “In a lot of her races it's gone against her and it has been frustrating, so it's very satisfying to get this win.”

Bridgman admitted that this season he had finally found the secret to Abidewithme, balancing her racing schedule with minimal hard training. “From the time she got to peak fitness for the Thorndon Mile in late January up until now she's gone from 462 kilos to 472.

“She's a very clean-winded mare and all she's done on the track since Te Aroha is pacework.”

The other element in the win - jockey Michael McNab who has ridden Abidewithme in her last three starts - played his part to perfection.

After settling her back in the field, he tracked up behind leading prospect Atacama and came off her back with 250 metres to run. With a full head of steam, Abidewithme flattened out and reeled in Lauren Tate to deny the Taupiri mare back-to-back Travis Stakes wins.

Decorah fought bravely for third after being on the pace throughout, while Atacama was unable to muster a final surge and had to settle for fourth. Last week's Easter handicap winner Pondarosa Miss was luckless in the running, posted three wide from her outside draw and found wanting after trying to lodge a challenge on the turn.