Easy Win for Echezeaux

Beautifully placed by trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, and ridden a treat by Jonathan Riddell, Echezeaux (4 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) broke through at her fourth start with a dominant win in the Iplex Maiden 1600 metres on 4 March at Awapuni.

Patiently ridden off a wide gate by Riddell, a competitive pace set the race up nicely and she tracked up with plenty to offer inside the 600m. After taking a while to balance up in the straight, the response was immediate when asked and she galloped out boldly.

She trucked on in staying fashion through the line and like her dam Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel), winner of the Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2000m), appeared as though more distance would be ideal.

Regarded as a Blue Hen mare, the highest accolade afforded to broodmares, Grand Echezeaux is the dam of Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky) and Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), from a line that produced Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm) to win $6 million in stakes, and the pride and joy of owner and breeder Sir Peter Vela.

“We were all thrilled to win with a mare like that and the manner in which she did suggests, that when the penny drops, there will be more in store for her, and a thrill that Steve and Jamie trained her,” said Sir Peter.

“She's had a few excuses along the way, but she's been given time when she's needed it and it was nice to get the score on the board today.

“It was not easy from the outside draw and I thought the jockey rode her particularly well, to settle back, get her into her stride, and take the opportunity to press forward on the back of Presh (2^nd), and I think that was the winning of the race."

Having purchased Darci Brahma, Saperavi, and Burgundy as yearlings, Te Akau principal David Ellis also enjoyed the victory.

“It's a huge thrill for us to win another race for one of New Zealand's most successful breeders, Sir Peter Vela,” said Ellis.

“Grand Echezeaux is one of his very best mares and left one of New Zealand's best horses, in Darci Brahma, who was champion two-year-old, champion three-year-old and champion sprinter/miler at four and it was a thrill when Sir Peter gave us the filly to train.

“She won as though there will be more in the pipeline for her and I think Steve and Jamie have done a great job. It was quite a long time between races and she was beautifully ridden by Jonathan Riddell."

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “She's a mare with a lovely pedigree and it was lovely to see her do that today. Her work at home had always been very pleasing, but she'd had her excuses on race day, and when she won her recent trial at Cambridge we thought she'd be hard to beat.

“It great for Sir Peter, Leon Casey, Garry Cossey, Mike Mulhern, and the whole team at Pencarrow Stud."

Pencarrow racing manager Garry Cossey said: “It was good to see. It was a relief and everything panned out perfectly. He (Riddell) rode her just how we wanted her ridden and the recent trial win just topped her off nicely, and the team had her in the right frame of mind.

“She was in perfect physical condition and it took a while to pull her up, so it was a good staying performance."

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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