Awapuni Double - Kabugee Ripper Resuming

Highest rated in the race, Kabugee (3 g Satono Aladdin - Kabuki, by Shinko King) resumed with victory in the $14,000 3YO 1200 metres on 23 April at Awapuni. 

After trialling on 11 April at Avondale, where without room in the straight he remained untouched behind runners, Kabugee brought compelling factors to the race. He had been competitive at stakes' level and shown the ability to act fresh and also handle give in the ground. 

In a race with Michael McNab aboard stable-mate Dignitosa (Xtravagant), who fought hard for third, Kabugee was chased along in fourth approaching the 600m and continued responding to the urgings of jockey Johnathan Parkes.

Parkes, who won the Avondale Guineas  (Gr. 2, 2000m) for Te Akau on Gingernuts (Iffraaj) and the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) aboard On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau), had been off the scene for a time and resumed riding last week at Otaki.

Commentator Tony Lee said: “He gave it a nice run, went before the corner, so knew what he was about and hasn't forgotten that, and a bit of quality shown here by Kabugee.”

On Heavy10 footing, in the race sponsored by Tui Backing a Winner since 1889, Kabugee ran 1200 metres in 1:13.4, and paid $3.00 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a good tough effort by Kabugee, and it was also great to see Johnathan Parkes back in the winner's circle,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“He got through the (heavy) conditions quite well and we'll just see how he pulls up with a view to whether or not we'll run him in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes.”

The $85,000 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) is raced next Saturday (29 April) at the Cambridge Jockey Club meeting at Te Rapa. 

It was also a continuation of form runners for Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), who Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM supported early on, and who referenced Kabugee, when buying star two-year-old Tokyo Tycoon (All About The Coin, by Starcraft) for $125,000 as a yearling at Karaka. 

“We've been impressed with the progeny of Satono Aladdin, particularly Kabugee who is in the stable and he won impressively on debut to provide the stallion with his first domestic winner,” he said. 

Bred by Cambridge Hunt, which includes the brothers Barry, Graeme, and Peter Hunt, Kabugee is owned in conjunction with Kabugee 2020 Syndicate, managed by Stephen Hunt (TAB bookmaker) and comprises about 15 family & friends.

Kabugee is out of stakes' performed mare Kabuki, an impressive winner over 1400 metres and half-sister to Champion Sire Tavistock (Montjeu), who, along with Kabugee, has left smart winner Akerra (Ekraar).

Kabugee was strapped by Kohen Collett.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz