Midweek Double - Cognoscenti So Cool

Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson recorded a race-to-race double when Cognoscenti (4 g Castelvecchio – Irish Goodbye, by Fastnet Rock) won the $25,000 Sonia & Garry Thompson Rating 75 2000 metres on 4 March at Riccarton.

After Vivacious (Dundeel) unleashed a powerful finish to easily win the Rating 75 1200 metres, Cognoscenti, who dictated terms and fought hard for second on the course in the $25,000 Rating 75 2000 metres on 4 February, followed up with a defiant performance. 

Ridden by Courtney Barnes, Cognoscenti settled nicely in second, on the hindquarters of pacemaker Peecee Pussycat (Pure Champion), was level-pegging as the pair duelled to the 200m, and fought tenaciously to score by a half neck, with less than a length separating the first six.

“He jumped well, settled really nicely outside the leader, which I think was key to him,” Barnes said.

“He was tough in the straight, needed a horse to come up alongside to keep him focussed, and although he felt vulnerable in a close finish, he got the job done.”

On footing upgraded to Soft7, Cognoscenti ran 2000 metres in 2:05.9, last 600m in 37.0 (approx.), and paid $4.60 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a good effort to finish second last time at his first start over 2000 metres, good to see him follow-up with a win, and a lovely ride by Courtney Barnes,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. 

“The winning of the race, when he was under pressure, she was able to pull the stick through and used it well in a tight finish. So, well done to Courtney, and Hunter (Durrant) and the team has got the horses looking exceptionally well. 

“Cognoscenti is a horse that has been a touch frustrating, but he’s just starting to mature now and I think he’ll be even better next season as a five-year-old when he develops even more physical strength.”

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. 

He is from the first crop of outstanding juvenile Castelvecchio, winner of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m), Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), and runner-up in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), the son of the Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, Dundeel (High Chaparral). 

Cognoscenti is the first foal of a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), with his grand-dam Samarmeteors being by the ill-fated sire of sires Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago), the sire of Champion Sire Zoustar.

“He was a nice type of horse when we bought him, by a young sire (Castelvecchio) that was a top racehorse that has already proved a great success at Arrowfield Stud,” Ellis said. 

“He had a lot of natural substance and out of a Fastnet Rock mare, which is hard to beat, and although he’s taken time to mature and hit his straps as a racehorse, it looks like he’s getting there this season. 

“Our assistant trainer Hunter (Durrant) and the team are doing a great job for us at the Te Akau Stables on the course at Riccarton, and everyone, whether it be Matamata, Cranbourne, or here at Te Akau Stud, is putting everything into it.”

Cognoscenti has a nicely balanced and simple bloodline cross through his sire-lines of immortal stallion Northern Dancer.

Julie Solomon strapped Cognoscenti, who was awarded the Al Basti Equiworld “Best Presented Horse”. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz