Kith 'N' Kin Cruises In

Winning two of her last three starts, Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred, by Pins) took out the $18,500 Rating 75 1200 metres on 17 March at Wingatui.

A course/distance winner two starts ago, when responding gamely, Kith ‘n’ Kin subsequently finished third in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 2 March, also at Wingatui, and trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson elected to drop her back in distance.

Looking a picture in her preliminary in the hands of jockey Courtney Barnes, Kith ‘n’ Kin was slowest to begin and stood her rivals quite a start, but once engaged rounding the home turn she powered up to grab Westwood (Charm Spirit) near the line.

In the race sponsored by Lindsay Moyle Memorial and Green Island Grizzlies, Kith ‘n’ Kin ran 1200 metres in 1:12.6, last 600m in 35.3 (approx.) on Soft5 footing, and paid $3.20 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote.

Although getting no favours by missing the start, she was aided by a small field but the performance still had a decent degree of enormity to it.

“It was a good effort today after being slowly away, but, gee, she picked them up nicely, and building a good record on the course at Wingatui,” Walker said.

“It’s great for (breeder/owner) Ronald Lau, he’s been such a great supporter of stable, an absolute gentleman, and we love training winners for him.”

Bred and owned by Mr. Lau, Te Akau has a good understanding of the family, having trained the dam, Kindred, to record three wins including an impressive effort over 1400 metres, while grand-dam Kind Return (Zabeel) was also impressive winning over 1400m and 1600m through the summer months and finished fourth in the Auckland Cup (3200m).

Kind Return is also a half-sister to the David Ellis CNZM purchased and Te Akau trained Kindacross (Cape Cross), who finished second on the New Zealand 2YO Free Handicap after winning five times in his first season including the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Group 1, 1400m).

From the family of triple Group One winner and successful stallion Sky Chase (Star Way), the lineage has shown through in what augurs well for Kith ‘n’ Kin to become sought after and valuable as a broodmare proposition in the future.

“We’ve trained quite a few winners for Ronald Lau in the past and it’s great to see this mare showing really good promise,” Ellis said.

“He’ very passionate about horse racing and a loyal supporter of what we’re doing at Te Akau.

“This mare is from a very good family, by a sire (Almanzor) that continues to leave horses that are getting better with age, and Kith ‘n’ Kith has now won three times within her first 10 starts which is not easy to do.”

Kith ‘n’ Kin was strapped Hollie Smith.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz