Maasir Marvellous Resuming

Champion trainer Jamie Richards had strong representation in the $12,000 Rating 74 1300 metres on 17 September at Taupo, winning with Maasir (4 g Proisir - Maakel, by Swain) while Aromatic (Sacred Falls) finished second.

Although settling last on a comfortable pace and still eight lengths astern at the 600m, Maasir took an inside passage and quickened too strongly for his opponents, with stable-mate Aromatic finding plenty after racing outside the leader.

It was a cagey ride by talented hoop Ryan Elliot, seizing the initiative to save ground, and one that determined the outcome in the mind of Richards.

“He was given a lovely ride by Ryan (Elliot), and, really, the ride was the winning of the race,” he said. “If he'd had to come around the field, I doubt he could have won, but he snuck up the inside and duly delivered. I was pretty happy with that.”

Last season, Maasir recorded consecutive victories to 2100 metres at Te Rapa, and appeared a likely contender for three-year-old classics before injury stymied his campaign.

“He's come up well since the knee surgery in February, when he was working up as though he could have been a realistic chance in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), and he was one of the favourites for the NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m),” Richards said.

“We gave him plenty of time and he's come back in good shape. I'd been pleased with the way he'd trialled and it was a good fresh-up effort.

“The team at the Colt Barn has done a good job with him and hopefully he can progress into a nice staying type and contest some of the good races.”

On the NZ TAB tote, Maasir was third elect of four that Richards had in the race sponsored by Pitch Sports Bar & Lucky Lizard and returned handsome odds: $10.30 & $2.80.

Owned by Te Akau Proisir Pride Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Maasir was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $72,500 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge.

Maasir is by emerging young sire Proisir (Choisir), from a mare by International staying sire Swain (Nashwan) that has left four winners of six races, including Kidwelly (Dylan Thomas), who finished second in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) and fourth in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m).

Maasir was strapped by Liam Cunningham.

It was the first winner Cunningham had strapped for Te Akau, and a connection of some significance.

Maasir was bred by his father, Gordon Cunningham (Curraghmore Stud), for whom the stable train talented debut winning mare Lisheen (Pins), and Liam prepared him for sale as a yearling.

“Liam is an important part of the team, learning from one of the best, in Nicole Shailer at the Middle Barn, and a great thrill for him to lead this horse in after having so much to do with him in his earlier days,” Richards said.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz