Kabugee Cracking on Debut

Debutante Kabugee (2 g Satono Aladdin - Kabuki, by Shinko King) had no trouble providing the first domestic win for his sire Satano Aladdin (Deep Impact) in one of two $12,000 Maiden 2YO 1000 metre event on 3 January at Te Aroha - both won by Te Akau.

Hot favourite ($1.40), Kabugee had powered up for a smart win when trialling on 21 December at Ellerslie, following an impressive first trial on 4 November at Matamata, and the laidback customer won as expected.

Settling three back on the inner for rider Opie Bosson, Kabugee was across heels mid-straight and looked good quickening to lead before easing late when two lengths clear.

“He was very professional and is a smart horse,” Bosson said.

Kabugee is owned by Cambridge Hunt & Kabugee 2020 Syndicate, which includes brothers Barry, Graeme, and Peter Hunt.

“Graeme bred Kabuki, a half-sister to Tavistock, and Peter and I raced her with him,” said Barry Hunt.

“We've got about fifteen family & friends in this horse and my son, Stephen Hunt, put the syndicate together and he works for the TAB. He's got schoolmates involved and friends that went to the horse sales in Sydney, where they'd stay at Coogee Bay and that's part of the name.

“Karen Zimmerman trained Kabuki. She was lightly raced, but impressed winning over 1400 metres and like Kabugee, she also won on debut.

“She finished fourth in a stakes' race and only had 11 starts but had she raced for longer I'm sure she could have won stakes' races.

“Graeme did the mating because he understands more about that and sorted it out. He's right into breeding and bred Melbourne Cup winner Efficient.”

In race sponsored by Graeme Wright Transport, Kabugee ran 1000 metres in 58.5, last 600m 33.6, on Good3 footing.

“It wasn't Plan A to be off the pace, but he was a bit slowly away and ended up winning really well,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“It was probably a blessing in disguise for him to peel off and come between horses in the straight and he will take a lot of benefit from today.

“I loved the way he pinned his ears back to poke through a gap, quickened up and won nicely.

“I'm really happy for the owners because he trialled up well and it's good to see him deliver first-up. We certainly do like him.

“It was a hot day and the track became pretty firm, so we'll get him home and check his shins before making any decisions.

“Going to plan, we may just give him a trial before the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) in February (26^th). He'll have a week to 10 days in the paddock now and we can go from there.

“I was really impressed with the way he won.”

Standing at Rich Hill Stud, shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin has 11 individual winners in Japan and looks to have a good one in Kabugee.

Kabugee was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz