Mai Tai - Season Stakes' Winner 40

Given a superb ride by Samantha Collett, Mai Tai(4 m Atlante - Tropical Punch, by Faltaat) recorded her biggest victory in the $50,000 Manawatu ITM Anzac Mile (Listed, 1550m) on Anzac Day (25 April) at Awapuni.

A day after winning the Easter Handicap (Gr. 2, 1600m) aboard Demonetization (All Too Hard) at Ellerslie, Collett summed up the situation perfectly in her first ride aboard the five-time winner from 10 starts.

In training for the Hawkins family, commercial breeders at Wentwood Grange, Mai Tai was unlucky when fifth in the Rating 74 1200 metres on Derby Day (7 March), before impressively winning the Rating 74 1400 metres on Easter Saturday (3 April) at Ellerslie, and trainer Jamie Richards pulled the right rein in his choice of race for the improving mare.

Collett never missed a beat, getting Mai Tai away nicely from the gates to situate perfectly in fourth and chasing what always appeared certain to be a genuine clip set by Quiz Kid (Iffraaj). Up to the task of lodging a claim at the 200m, she gained the measure and set about cementing the deal in strong fashion.

“Too good, favourite wins, $2.80 & $1.50 on the tote,” said commentator Tony Lee. “Quiz Kid took a stack of running down and only succumbed the last bit, but she chased hard and a real up-and-comer.”

Able to handle the Slow8 footing on offer, Mai Tai scored going on by three-quarters of a length.

“That was a bloody good win by a promising mare that has worked her way through the grades,” Richards said. “She got in on the minimum weight (53kg) and it was a lovely ride from Sam (Collett). She put her in the right spot and rode the course well.

“It's nice to have another stakes' winner for the Hawkins family, who have been good supporters of the stable.

“Tracy (Collis) is down there looking after her and she's one of her favourites in the Main Stable. She's done a great job and we might give her a rest now and get her ready for the spring.”

In February, Richards broke the previous domestic stakes record of 25 in a season, with Mai Tai increasing the number to 36 (40 including Aust.), and a week after eclipsing the previous best season tally (143) he currently sits on 148.

The stable was to the fore during Easter at Awapuni, winning its fourth consecutive Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) with On the Bubbles (Brazen Beau), while adding the quinella with I Wish I Win (Savabeel), and since then Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel) obliged in the Manawatu Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m).

“It's great to have another stakes' winner in the stable for the Hawkins family,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM. “We had Our Abbadean for them and she won the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m) on the same course. She was a dual Group Two winner and Group One placed, and as breeders that's what they strive for.

“They have been supportive of Te Akau for a number of years and we've been lucky to always have a good horse in the stable for them.

“It was fantastic to have one of our former Te Akau apprentices, Sam Collett, win another black type race for us. She's riding really well and that was a top effort on Mai Tai.”

Her dam, Tropical Punch (Faltaat), was Group Three and Listed placed to 1600 metres, and Mai Tai carries a Mr. Prospector cross - used to good effect in breeding strategies by Wentwood Grange - as the sire of Faltaat and through the dam-lines of Atlante.

“My wife and I are on our wedding anniversary and we watched the race at The Good Luck Coconut bar at the Viaduct, and their cocktail of the day was a Mai Tai,” said Dean Hawkins. “It had to be an omen, so we ordered a couple and watched the race.

“It was a fantastic result. Jamie placed her perfectly and Sam produced a fantastic ride, so it's great for everyone to get the black type.

“It's been amazing to follow-up with Mai Tai after Our Abbadean doing such a great job from the Te Akau stable. David (Ellis) and his team are huge supporters of ours and it's great to repay them with some decent horses to train and get some great results on the track.

“We had a fantastic day yesterday because Kolding (Ocean Park) won the All Aged Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Randwick, and we bred another stakes winner in Queensland, as well, and it's great to extend it on to Sunday.

“Being a foster foal, she's a mare that means so much to us and mum and dad (Des & Jan) are down there at the races so they'll be enjoying the moment and embracing the win.”

Mai Tai races in the trademark Wentwood Grange colours of black, bronze Prince of Wales feathers, and matching quartered cap.

Mai Tai was strapped by Tracy Collis.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz