Duby - Woo - How Good Were You!

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards kept a one-hundred percent strike rate intact this week when Duby (4 m Ocean Park - Lost in Dubai, by Dubai Destination) obliged in the $10,000 Maiden 1300 metres on 30 June at Cambridge.

Richard of Yorke (Oasis Dream) did the job handsomely in the Restricted Open Hurdle (3100m) on Sunday at Te Aroha, and the feat was emulated by Duby, as his sole runner for the meeting.

Bred and owned by Joe and Max Smithies at Monovale Farm, the well-related mare was second twice from four starts in her first campaign, including runner-up to stable-mate and Group Three winner Cornflower Blue (Savabeel), a filly that also finished third to stable-mate Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and placed at both Group Two and Listed level.

So the form was there. She did well to finish third when trialling on the poly-track in March and her two subsequent race day outings on the course, for sixth and fourth respectively, had plenty of merit.

In the race sponsored by Paynters' Catering, aided by three kilos weight relief to carry 53.5kg under in-form Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, Duby ($3.70 & $1.40) ran out a convincing winner despite being awkwardly away.

While barrier three appeared advantageous, Duby was last of the pack and six lengths astern at the 600 metres before circling widest and sailing home over top of her opponents. It was a smart effort, and a no panic ride by Kamaruddin.

“I'm happy with that,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “I don't think she saw out the 1550 metres when chasing a hot tempo here last time. We gave her a freshen-up, week in the paddock, and dropped her back in trip and put the full blinkers on.

“The plan was to ride her handier, but she reared when the gates opened and missed the kick. Joe (Kamaruddin) didn't panic and got on his bike from the 600m.

“She showed a determined finish, like she did two starts back, and she won with a bit in hand. She looks a shorter course horse and I had a good chat with Joe Smithies afterwards and he said the more recent family is up to a mile.

“It was a good job done by Hunter Durrant and Reece Trumper, two young fellas that run the Uni Barn, to present her so well.”

Richards said Duby could target one of the Special Conditions Maiden races for $40,000 on 28 July at Cambridge.

Duby is a half-sister to former stable-mate Pinultimate (Pins). Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $36,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, from the draft of Monovale Farm, Pinultimate won three of her seven starts including a four-length victory on debut before injury curtailed her promising career.

From the family of 2016 Karaka Million 2YO winner Xiong Feng (Iffraaj) and triple Group One winner of the Cox Plate, Orr Stakes, and Yalumba Stakes, Maldivian (Zabeel), dam Lost in Dubai (Dubai Destination) has now left six individual winners of 20 races, including Group One placed Star Treasure (Lonhro).

At the Karaka 2020 Book 1 Sale, Monovale sold a brother to Star Treasure for $280,000: debut winner Western Springs (Lonhro). They have a weanling half-sister by Iffraaj (Zafonic) and the mare is in foal to Savabeel (Zabeel).

“It was a good win and I was on course to see it,” said Joe Smithies.

“She's better than her form suggested, taken a little bit of time but hopefully she could put a few wins together.

“Cambridge Stud now owns Pinultimate and I believe she is in foal to Almanzor. She was a very talented race mare, but had a few things go against her and should probably have gained black type. It's a shame, but we have her progeny to look forward to.

“It's a family that leaves tough, strong racehorses and they're good types as well. They're selling in the ring and we're fortunate to have retained this filly (Duby). She's a good mare to have in the broodmare band for the future.

“Duby had a paddock incident just prior to the yearling sales, so we decided to pull her out. We were also tentatively keen to retain her, keep a filly and its work out well.

“We have a very good relationship with David Ellis and the team at Te Akau. Obviously, their results show that they do a great job and it's great to be part of the country's leading stable.

“Hopefully Duby can maintain her form and maybe target some better races. That's what we're after.”

Duby was strapped by Amit Gujar.

“That was the first winner Amit has strapped for Te Akau,” said racing manager Libby Richards. “He rides from the Uni Barn every morning with stable foreman Hunter Durrant, and he loves Duby.”

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz