Four Win Saturday - Wairau Cove Brave

From last on the corner, Wairau Cove (4 g Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass, by Orientate) powered home to win the $30,000 Hutton Contracting Rating 75 1300 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa. 

Showing talent from the outset, winning his Maiden by five lengths over 1200 metres at Matamata, and finishing second in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) at the corresponding meet last year, Wairau Cove did well for fifth last start in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 14 April at Awapuni, and appreciated a touch further.

Dictated to get back from a wide draw (11), Wairau Cove stood the leader 10 lengths 600m out, and still well back at the furlong, but he remained relentless under the urgings of Opie Bosson to grab race favourite Sumi (Atlante) on the line.

“I felt we were going well enough to pick them up,” Bosson said. “We really rated him last season and he's put it altogether today.”

In the race sponsored by former jockey Brendan Hutton, won in 2021 by Te Akau trained Summer Monsoon (Stratum), Wairau Cove ran 1300 metres in 1:18.1, last 600m in 34.6, on Soft5 footing, and drifted in betting to pay $7.10 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

Stable-mate Sophisticardo (Burgundy) ran another very good race for fourth, ridden by four-kilo claiming Te Akau apprentice Jess Allen. 

“He needs a bit of luck, is better off ridden back, and when you do that you need things to go your way,” said trainer Mark Walker. “He got onto the back of Michael (McNab) on Sumi, which helped.

“He's thereabouts (Sophisticardo). Sometimes they just get a bit hard to place when they get to the top of the handicaps, but young Jess is riding well.”

In the Nearco Stud colours of owner/breeder Greg Tomlinson, Wairau Cove is raced by him in conjunction with R M & Mrs V Donnison, D J & Mrs S P Rolston, and A C & Mrs J M Seabrook.

On behalf of the owners, New Zealand Bloodstock Sales representative Regan Donnison said: “Nearco Stud is a massive supporter of racing here and in Australia, and I know how much Greg appreciates sponsors and how vital they are for the industry.

“To our fellow owners in Hong Kong, they'll be having a few Bloody Mary's to celebrate the win with brunch.

“He ran second in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes last year, so it's nice to come back 12 months later and pick one up.

“He's a horse with a massive amount of ability, but had a few problems and well done to trainer Mark Walker and everyone at Te Akau for their efforts in getting him right.”

The year younger brother to former stable-mate and 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Kahma Lass, a subsequent stakes' winner at Caulfield, Wairau Cove is from broodmare sensation Distinctive Lass, having left four stakes winners among seven individual winners of 38 races. 

An illustrious family which Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM has great affinity, he purchased Kahma Lass for $290,000 at the 2019 Karaka  Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, and also bought a brother, Distinctive Darci, from the same draft in 2015.

A smart four-length trial winner on debut at Te Aroha, Distinctive Darci transferred to Mark Walker in Singapore, winning 11 races, including a Group Two, and over NZ$1 million in prize money. Half-brother Kuro (Denman) won five stakes' races in a total of eight wins, and Southern Lad (Ocean Park) also won seven in Australia. 

In addition, Ellis purchased five-time Group One winner and Champion Sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) as a yearling at Karaka, and the mating with Distinctive Lass has worked extraordinarily well. 

Wairau Cove was strapped by Olivia Hill.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz