Linchpin You Little Legend

While Linchpin (3 g Pins - Laurinel Princess, by Desert Prince) notched a well-deserved win in the Water Supply Products Mile Maiden on May 19 at Hastings, Fastnet Fire (Fastnet Rock) made it a notable quinella.

In April, stable-mates Echezeaux (Encosta De Lago) and Cathedral Cove (Zabeel) crossed the line virtually in unison at Awapuni, combining for $22.70 result, which was eclipsed by the $46.80 pay out on this occasion.

Ridden positively from the gate by Cameron Lammas to lead at the 1300m, Linchpin travelled on a nice rein before slipping away to a handy advantage on straightening at the 400m and he maintained a solid gallop.

Meanwhile, Fastnet Fire, under Matt Cameron, was three wide in ninth for a majority of the journey and after circling wide she bounded home to grab second on the line.

On lovely autumn going, rated Dead5, Linchpin ran the 1600 metres in 1:37.8 and given his solid recent form the $26.00 & $6.50 fixed odds appeared very generous.

“He didn't have to do too much to find the front, which was probably the winning of the race,” said Jamie Richards, who trains the horse in partnership with Stephen Autridge.

“He had been leading away from the rail on off tracks at his last couple of starts, but good track, found the front....

“It was a lovely ride from Cam (Lammas) and we've got some really good owners here that follow this horse everywhere, so I'm rapt for them."

Recording the 91^st win for the season, maintained an advantage of six over their closest rival in the training premiership.

“We've got to keep our nose in front and hopefully we'll be alright,” said Richards.

Linchpin was purchased by David Ellis for $37,500 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Linchpin Syndicate.

“Nothing gives me a bigger thrill than people that are prepared to be patient with a horse, and get the results,” said Ellis.

“He's a horse that has been a little bit frustrating because he's been a slow maturing type of Pins horse, but the way he won today he's going to win more races.

“All credit to Steve and Jamie, because they haven't rushed him, they've placed him well and it was great to see the filly (Fastnet Fire) coming home so well because she's going to win really nice races too.

“She's got a really good future, that filly,” added Ellis.

Linchpin was the second good value purchase by Ellis to salute on card at Hastings, after the $42,500 Ready to Run Sale buy Gingernuts (Iffraaj) scored earlier.

“I enjoy buying horses at all price ranges, and there are some really good owners that travelled all the way to Hawkes Bay today so it was wonderful to see them get the chocolates,” said Ellis.

Echoing the sentiments of Ellis, at the time of buying, Curraghmore stud master Gordon Cunningham said: “He is a very strong colt with great hind leg and amazing value. We thought he would fetch twice the price".

His dam, Laurinel Princess, won a couple of times up to a mile in Australia, and a half-sister to the winners of twenty eight races. Namely, Palace Line (Palace Music) who was a dual Group One winning two-year-old of the Nursery Stakes (1200m) and Champion Stakes (1400m) in South Africa. Also at two, he won the Protea Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Man O' War Stakes (Gr. 3, 1000m) to be crowned Champion 2YO Male in South Africa. At three he became Champion 3YO Male in Singapore.

His sister, Laurinel Argie (Palace Music), won 11 races from 1100 to 2400 metres, recording her biggest win in the Prime Ministers Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m).

Linchpin was strapped by Wiremu Pinn, who has created an enviable record of four consecutive victories with horses he has taken to the races: Duchess Kate (Savabeel), Royal Success (Savabeel), Gingernuts (Iffraaj), and Linchpin.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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