Cambridge Double - Accolades for Aequus

Date: 1 Jun 2023

Cambridge Double - Accolades for Aequus

 

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, Aequus (3 f Iffraaj - Equanimity, by More Than Ready) broke through at her third start in the $14,000 Cambridge Grains Maiden 1300 metres on 31 May at Cambridge.

 

After finishing strongly for fifth when resuming in the Maiden 970 metres at the same venue on 17 May, Aequus was suited stepping up in distance and was given a good ride by Craig Grylls to negate her wide draw (12).

Grylls had Aequus tracking wide with cover in midfield before swooping into contention nearing the home turn and she sustained her run in determined fashion to win.

It was also a brave effort by stable-mate Rightly So (El Roca), finishing third for Joe Kamaruddin.

“It was a good, tough effort against the early pattern of racing,” said trainer Mark Walker. 

“She's a mare that I think can go with it, take the next step up in grade, and it was a nice effort considering she had the outside barrier. 

“She's well bred and should make into a very nice four and five-year-old mare.”

Aequus returned $5.60 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote after running the 1300 metres in 1:16.7 on the poly-track.

“She started from the outside and had to make her run a fair way out, so a pretty good effort to win,” said Pencarrow racing manager Garry Cossey.

“Mark (Walker) was confident at the start of the day with her and his judgement proved spot on.”

It was a fitting victory because not only did Te Akau train her dam Equanimity (More Than Ready), who impressed winning her first two starts as a three-year-old, but likewise her grand-dam and 2008 NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Insouciant (Keeper), who was also trained by Mark Walker.

Equanimity was the first foal out of Insouciant and each of her three progeny to race has won.

Te Akau and Pencarrow Stud has had a close association over the years, headed by the purchasing and training of five time Group One winning stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill), five time stakes' winning stallion Burgundy (Redoutes Choice), as well as preparing Insouciant to win the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600), Eulogy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) and finish second in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m) to secure her title as Filly of the Year. 

Aequus was strapped by Zoe Ashworth. 

 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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