Matamata Double ~ Cognoscenti Gives Plenty
21 December, 2024
Given a lovely ride by Wiremu Pinn, Cognoscenti (3 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye, by Fasnet Rock) recorded a second-up victory in the $25,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Maiden 1400 metres on 20 December at Matamata.
Finishing sixth after travelling handily when resuming in the Maiden 1230 metres on 4 December at Rotorua, Cognoscenti raced in good fields during three starts as a two-year-old, was expected to appreciate the extra distance, and broke through at his fifth start.
Smartest to begin from barrier six, Cognoscenti travelled boldly in the trail for Pinn, was clear to challenge on straightening, and kept giving after quickening to lead at the 300m and establishing a two-length winning break.
On Good4 footing, Cognoscenti ran 1400 metres in 1:24.5, last 600m in 35.6 (approx.), and shortened from an earlier $10 fixed odds quote to pay $6.50 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.
“It was a lovely ride of Wiremu’s and the horse played his part with a good effort to win,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson.
“He got into the box seat, summed up the race perfectly when he went for home, and the timing was impeccable.
“It was really good to see him win. He showed a lot at the jump outs early on, but just went through a bit of a plain stage, but I think he was trying to grow as well as race.
“We put him aside, gave him a really good spell, and the owners have been so patient and supportive. Even in the spring, Sam and I said to the owners that we wanted to give him a bit more time, because he just wasn’t there in the coat, but he really thrived out at Te Akau Stud.
“Deane (Lowcay) and the team fed him up, got him looking good, and he’s gone to another level since coming back in.
“I think the form out of today’s race will be strong and he should also grow in confidence to go on with it up in grade.”
Owned by the Te Akau Bid You Farewell Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Cognoscenti was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $200,000 at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park.
Cognoscenti is from the first crop of outstanding juvenile Castelvecchio, winner of the Champagne Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and runner-up in the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), and son of the Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, Dundeel (High Chaparral).
He is the first foal of a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), with grand-dam Samarmeteors by ill-fated sire of sires in Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago), the sire of Zoustar.
At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “He’s a very straightforward colt, by a sire that was a top racehorse and he has a lot of natural substance, also being out of a Fastnet Rock mare, that's hard to beat.”
Cognoscenti has a nicely balanced and simple bloodline cross through his sire-lines of immortal stallion Northern Dancer.
Cognoscenti was strapped by Te Akau apprentice Tayla Melvin, who has returned from injury and begun riding track work and trials.
“I’ve been riding Cognoscenti in work since I’ve come back,” she said. “He’s been working really well and he’s a nice strong horse.”
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz