Our Abbadean Awesome

Top weight proved no problem for Our Abbadean (4 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights, by Fantastic Light) as she ran out an impressive winner of the $25,000 FLAIR Rating 75 2200 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Fourth at her most recent start in the $70,000 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 18 March at Trentham, Our Abbadean was the highest rated (73) of the nine runners and under a smooth ride by Opie Bosson she carried the 59kgs effortlessly.

From barrier two, Bosson was able to settle the mare into a perfect rhythm three back on the inner. She picked up on the bridle passing the 800m, galloped in to clear air ominously rounding the home turn and after quickening to lead a furlong out strode away to win by 2 ¼ lengths.

It really was a polished exhibition by both horse and rider, and one that indicated she has the makings of cups mare.

“She's gone some really nice races, sometimes not had any luck, and it was the first time she's had a good draw,” said Stephen Autridge, who trains the mare with Jamie Richards.

“She got a beautiful run and Opie said he couldn't believe how well she was going and that it was a very, very good win.”

Autridge said that providing Our Abbadean came through the race accordingly, she could run in the $100,000 Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) on 29 April at Te Rapa.

“She loves Te Rapa, 2000 metres, shown she can carry a bit of weight which she would have to do because it's weight-for-age for fillies and mares and of course the owners would love to get black type with her,” Autridge said.

Following wet weather, improving track conditions to Dead5 suited Our Abbadean and she ran the 2200 metres in a respectable 2:17.2, returning $4.20 & $1.50 fixed odds and $4.30 & $2.00 on the tote.

Only two starts ago, Our Abbadean had stepped past a mile for the first time when sustaining a strong finish for second in the Rating 75 2000 metres on 25 February at Matamata, before seeing out the 2200 metres with aplomb, and the Hawkins family (Wentwood Grange) owned and bred mare has now won four times and finished fourth or better in eleven of her sixteen starts.

“It's great to be supported by breeders in the industry and the Hawkins family looks to have a staying mare with a lot of promise on their hands,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“They are really good breeders, terrific supporters of the racing industry and it's always a thrill to win races for them.  They've had horses in our stable for a long time and they're a great family to train for.

“They have allowed Steve and Jamie to give her plenty of time to reach maturity and after finishing fourth in both the Duoro Cup and Cuddle Stakes she certainly appears capable of black type, which is so important to breeders.

“It was a faultless ride by Opie. He is riding so confidently at the moment and younger riders could do no better than to study what he does on horses,” he said.

It was also the breeding and talent of Our Abbadean that saw David Ellis purchase her half sister by Bulbars at the recent Karaka Select Sale and as a result of this win, the final 10% share is attracting plenty of interest.

"She (the Bullbars) is a cracking sort, the Hawkins rated her one of the best they bred that year.  I am surprised there is still share in her, possibly due to this filly being by a new sire.  However this younger sibling is a real beauty and Karyn tells me that she will be gone today," he said.

Interestingly, Our Abbadean gave trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards their 70th win when breaking Maidens over 1200 metres on March 30 last year and provided their 68th this time to show that the 2016 premiership winners remain on track to prove a force this season.

Although having had the speed to win over 1200 metres, Our Abbadean was always going to develop into a staying mare and her dam sire Fantastic Light (Rahy) has left horses that have won up to 2400 metres and also continued to improve with time.

“Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) was a stallion that Dean (Hawkins) really liked in Australia,” Des Hawkins said.

“She was absolutely stunning as a foal. We took her to the yearling sales and same old story we couldn't sell her, so fortunately we've ended up racing her.

“She has a good pedigree and Fantastic Light is proving a very good broodmare stallion.

“Her family can stay a bit. There are plenty of Oaks and staying type horses in there, so I see no reason why she wouldn't stay over a bit of ground.

“We really liked the Mr. Prospector line through the mare, and found that in Lookin At Lucky, as we'd had a lot of success with Faltaat,” said Hawkins, reflecting on Group One winning mares Little Bridge and Miss Raggedy Ann which they bred.

Our Abbadean was strapped by Chelsea Burden.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz