Our Pin Up Girl

Justifying favouritism, Pin Me Up  (3 f Pins - Brampton Loco, by O'Reilly) followed two seconds with deserved victory in $15,000 BCD Group Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Having run fastest last 600m (34.4) for second on debut in Maiden 1200 metres on 9 November at Te Aroha, and fastest again with 35.1 for second in a Maiden 3YO 1230 metres on 1 December at Rotorua, Pin Me Up left nothing to chance in winning.

Aboard stable-mate Outfit (Tivaci) when winning race one, Opie Bosson had Pin Me Up perfectly situated fifth, bounded to lead at the 200m and strode clear to win impressively.

A powerful filly with stride to match, Pin Me Up ran 1400 metres in 1:23.5, last 600m in 34.9, on footing upgraded to Dead5, and returned $2.80 & $1.40 on NZ TAB tote. Clear at the line by two and three-quarter lengths, she cut a pretty picture.

“Opie (Bosson) had her in a perfect spot, three back outer and she quickened up well to win nicely,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“She's a filly that we've always liked and I'd been happy with her. She's taken time to mature, but she's from a really good family and one that Andrew Scott, who trains at Wexford (Stables), has been able to give us some advice on because he trained the mother and the grand-mother.

“We'll get her home and assess before making plans, but may not back up in a stakes' race too soon. We'll see how things look after a few quiet days next week.”

Pin Me Up was purchased by Sydney based bloodstock agent Andy Williams, who has worked in conjunction buying horses with David Ellis, for owner Peter Collier, outlaying $270,000 at 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale from draft of Waikato Stud.

By award winning stallion Pins (twice NZ leading sire for global progeny earnings), her dam, Brampton Loco (O'Reilly), is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Pimms Time (Pins). Both are out of Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare Brampton Legs.

A terrific family, fourth dam Emancipation (Bletchingly) was Australian Horse of the Year, and third dam La Suffragette (Palace Music) left Caulfield Cup (Gr. 1, 2400m) and Metropolitan Handicap (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Railings (Zabeel).

On course in the Winners' Circle, Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM said: “Congratulations to the Waikato Racing Club, Chairman John Elstob, CEO Butch Castles, it's quite incredible how well this club is run and after 80mls rain the track is racing superbly well.

“Both Outfit and Pin Me Up were pretty impressive in the way they won and both look bound for stakes' races. Jamie will decide where they go, and our stable jockey Opie is in great form too, winning the first three races on the card.

“Andy Williams bought Pin Me Up for a client and we know that anything Andy buys has to be a chance because he's such a good judge of yearlings.”

Hamstrung by border restrictions, Williams and Collier had intended being present at Te Rapa.

“We wish we were there and would have popped over in a normal world for the race,” Williams said. “It's so frustrating and we're sick of it.

“The filly is owned by one of the nicest blokes in the world, not just the thoroughbred industry. Peter Collier is an absolutely star human. He had the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner this year at Caulfield, Yearning (Snitzel) as well so he's enjoying his fillies.

“He's an accountant here in Sydney, has a couple of mares with Arrowfield Stud and a couple in training. Peter owns Yearning with Arrowfield and she's trained by the Hawkes'

“He loves Pins and gave us an order to try and buy a lovely filly and Pin Me Up was the one we chose.

“Jamie (Richards) is quite excited by her, so hopefully she could head toward an Oaks depending what the plan is. If she can stay the distance, it could be there. She's in the best of hands with Te Akau.

“She looks like she's in fantastic order and it's such a good track to race on. Anything winning there, we can buy to Australia and trade off it. It's so consistent and good horses run on it.”

Pin Me Up was strapped by Tracy Collis.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz