Cambridge Double - Kith 'n' Kin Romps In

Having just her third start, Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred, by Pins) resumed with victory in the $18,500 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Maiden 970 metres on 13 September at Cambridge. 

Bred and owned by loyal Te Akau supporter Ronald Lau, Kith ‘n’ Kin had produced a good effort from last to finish fifth when debuting over 1200 metres last December at Tauranga, and was then spelled following one more run where again she found the line over 1400 metres at Rotorua.  She had indicated her readiness when closing strongly from well back for second in a trial on 11 July at Cambridge.

As expected, Kith ‘n’ Kin settled off the pace under jockey Vinnie Colgan, who let the competition ahead of him unfold before getting to the outside on straightening and she responded with a big finish to win going away by one and a quarter lengths.

It was a heady ride by one of our most senior jockeys, with over 1200 wins to his credit.

On the poly track, Kith ‘N’ Kin ran 970 metres in 56.9 and paid $4.60 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a nice patient ride of Vinnie’s and Ronald (Lau) has allowed us the time to get her right for racing,” said Mark Walker, who with Sam Bergerson registered their first win as training partners when Cote de Beaune (Burgundy) won on 2 August at Cambridge. 

Flying along since, they now have 26 wins to their credit including four stakes' wins which all occurred last Saturday at Hastings, and Moonee Valley, where Skew Wiff (Savabeel) won the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m), Quintessa (Shamus Award) the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) the McEwen Stakes (Gr. 2, 1000m), and Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin) the El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m).

There was then success for three of the aforementioned at the Horse of the Year Awards on Sunday night in Auckland, where Mark Walker was awarded the Premiership and Champion Trainer awards, Imperatriz Champion Sprinter/Miler, and Tokyo Tycoon Champion Two-Year-Old.

It carried on an enviable tradition of national award wins by Te Akau, who have now over 70 titles.

Regarding Kith ‘n’ Kin, Walker added: “She’s had numerous little things go wrong, including a paddock injury, but she’s shown ability and we love the stock of Almanzor (Wootten Bassett) and look forward to her stepping up over more ground.”

Te Akau has a good understanding of the family, having trained the dam, Kindred, to record three wins including an impressive effort over 1400 metres, while grand-dam Kind Return (Zabeel) was also impressive winning over 1400m and 1600m through the summer months and finished fourth in the Auckland Cup (3200m).

Kind Return is also a half-sister to the David Ellis CNZM purchased and Te Akau trained Kindacross (Cape Cross), who finished second on the New Zealand 2YO Free Handicap after winning five times in his first season including the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Group 1, 1400m).

From the family of triple Group One winner and successful stallion Sky Chase (Star Way), the lineage has shown through in what augurs well for Kith ‘n’ Kin to become a sought after and valuable broodmare proposition in the future.

Kith ‘N’ Kin was strapped by Sophie-Ann Clayton. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz