Grp 3 Counties' Cup won 'In A Twinkling'

Nobody wants to play cards with In A Twinkling  (4 g Fastnet Rock - Moment in Time, by Archway), but he might get a seat at the table after winning the $100,000 Ssangyong Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m) on Saturday at Pukekohe.

Dealt a blow by the handicapper when ending his three-year-old season as a one-win horse with an 82 rating, courtesy of finishing runner-up in the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) and fifth in both the Tulloch Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) at Rosehill, and ATC Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) at Randwick, he looks to have caught up by winning one of the major cup races.

While it took three runs to hit his straps this season, he returned to form with a defiant effort under 61kgs in the Rating 82 2100 metres on 28 October at Te Rapa. And a combination of peaking at the right time and a superb front running ride by Opie Bosson enabled In A Twinkling to score dominantly by one and a quarter lengths. 

“He relaxed beautifully in front, changed onto the right leg at the right times and came up underneath me beautifully turning in,” Bosson said. “I had a lap full of horse when we straightened up.

“He would have gone another lap, too, and didn't want to pull up. He's hitting good form at the right time and he'll be a good Summer Cups' horse.”

On Good3 footing, In A Twinkling carried 57kgs over 2100 metres in 2:09.6, last 600m in 34.3, and paid $4.30 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote. 

In A Twinkling provided trainer Jamie Richards with his fifth stakes' win this season and he leads the premiership with 36 victories.

“He's got really good form as a three-year-old, but sometimes you question how genuine is,” Richards said. “But, in front, rolling along, and setting his own tempo, not crowded on the fence, is probably the way to ride him. 

“He's had a frustrating run of seconds and been unlucky here and there, and really good for the team because they've done a massive job with the horse. He's been a tricky horse to place at the ratings and he's had to race against the upper echelon. 

“He's a fair horse and we'll take him home and set him for the Waikato Cup (Dec. 14). He seems best if we keep him fresh and space his races. It's a great thrill for Dave (Ellis). He bought him and still has a good share in the horse.”

Owned by the Te Akau Fastnet Moment Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis), purchased by David Ellis for $250,000, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, In A Twinkling recorded his third win and took earnings to $375,051.

His dam, Moment in Time, was a dual Group Three winner, dead-heating in a VRC St Leger, and winning six times from 1400m to 2800 metres. 

“It was a huge thrill to win this time-honoured race for the first time,” Ellis said. “I'm thrilled for Jamie (Richards) and the team because they were very unlucky earlier in the day with Cool Aza Beel in the two-year-old stakes' race and it was good to see him turn their luck around. 

“His stable name is Timmy and he's not an easy horse to train, but Jamie has done a fantastic job to have him win his last two starts and the way he won there's a lot more to come.

“He was dead stiff in the Derby, beaten half a head and they forgot to put the barrier blanket on at the start and he missed it by three lengths and raced three wide for much of the race. It was a huge effort. 

“He's looked after in the racecourse barn by Scott (Lucock) and Mette (Mosebo) and everybody in that barn has done a great job contributing to his success and looking after all the horses. 

“It was another great ride by Opie (Bosson). What I loved was the way he switched the whip into his left hand and the horse really responded to a strong ride. He changed strides and accelerated to win pretty comfortably.”

Te Akau has had terrific success with the progeny of Fastnet Rock (Danehill), including 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rock ‘N' Pop, now standing at Waikato Stud, and Group One winners Heroic Valour, standing at Raheen Stud, Queensland, Age Of Fire, and Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage, who also won the Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m).

In addition, Ellis bought high quality European staying horse Torcedor (Fastnet Rock) as a yearling in France, and he flew the Te Akau colours in esteemed races. 

“I've had so much luck with the progeny of Fastnet Rock and he's a true champion sire,” Ellis said. “Torcedor was from a great staying family. His dam, Magnolia Lane, is a sister to British superstar Yeats (Sadler's Wells) who won the Ascot Gold Cup (Gr. 1, 4023m) on four consecutive occasions, and I bought him because he really reminded me of Rock ‘N' Pop that we won the 2000 Guineas with. 

“Torcedor won two Group Three races, fifth and third in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, five stakes' placed runs and over NZ$1 million in earnings. Fastnet Rock has been a really good sire to us and I'm thrilled to see In A Twinkling carrying that on.”

In A Twinkling was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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