Ginger Too Wins at Start Two

Given a gorgeous ride by Opie Bosson, Ginger Too (3 g Iffraaj - La Chiflota, by Hussonet) broke through at his second start in the $10,000 Maiden 1400 metres on 12 November at Te Aroha.

Having produced a solid run off the trail for fourth when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 25 October at Tauranga, Ginger Too began well to track a competitive pace before gaining ascendency at the 200m and he hit the line strongly. 

In a race sponsored by Thames Racing at Te Aroha (Jan. 3), Ginger Too ran the 1400 metres in 1:26.2 on Dead6 footing and tightened considerably in betting to return $3.40 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote after opening at a fixed odds quote of $7.00 & $2.30.

A young horse that has shown good attributes at the trials and his two starts, Ginger Too was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $70,000 at the 2018 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Monovale Farm, and owned by the Te Akau Little Jerry Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“I was really thrilled with his win,” Ellis said. “He's a horse I bought in Book 2 and I was surprised he wasn't actually in Book 1, because he's by a really good sire, out of a very good race mare that the Smithies family (Monovale Farm) bought internationally, and he was a cracker of a yearling.”

By Iffraaj (Zafonic), the sire of Te Akau trained triple Group One winner Gingernuts (dubbed Jerry at the stables), and also the dam sire of Champion Two-Year-Old, reigning Horse of the Year, and ten-time Group One winner Melody Belle (Commands). Ginger Too is out a Group One winner and Champion 2YO Filly in Chile.

“He's got a lot of physical development and improvement to come yet and I think he has the makings of a late autumn three-year-old before really coming to it in his four-year-old season,” Ellis said.

“Jamie (Richards) has done a top job with this horse and the owners have been rewarded for their patience. We don't like to put pressure on young horses if they're still growing and filling out their frames, like this horse, and he will grow in confidence now with a nice win under his belt.

“I'm also very pleased for Max and Joe (Smithies) to have a nice horse from their draft and it gives the mare's future progeny a boost to have a horse like Ginger Too winning early in his racing career and looking to have plenty of potential. 

“They always have a horse in training with us and are two young guys that are doing an outstanding job in the thoroughbred industry.

“Quite a few owners of Gingernuts came into this syndicate and he's not dissimilar in colouring and type to a horse that certainly became one of our favourites.”

Trainer Jamie Richards said: “I thought it was a good win, aided by a lovely ride from a good gate (3). He's still learning his craft, wanting to go a bit keenly after jumping well but once Opie (Bosson) got him one off the rail he relaxed well and quickened in nicely after getting to the outside in the straight.

“Once he got the front he was a bit green, waiting for the other horses, but we think he's going to develop in a staying horse. He's still an immature type that's going to appreciate more time, but we like him and think he has what it takes to work through the grades. 

“He was a very nice yearling when Dave (Ellis) bought him and he reminded us a lot of Gingernuts, so hopefully he can go some way to emulating him on the track.”

Ginger Too was strapped by Sarah West. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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