Prise De Fer Gets the Prize

Presented in tremendous order, last start winner Prise De Fer (4 g Savabeel - Foiled, by Snippets) carried top weight (60kgs) to victory in the $25,000 Dunstan Horse Feeds Rating 72 1600 metres on Saturday at Pukekohe.

Less than an hour after Melody Belle won the Empire Rose Stakes (Gr. 1,1600m) at Flemington, Prise De Fer kept the momentum going with a tough victory. Having arrived with a big finish to win in the same grade over 1400 metres on 6 October at Te Teko, Prise De Fer showed plenty of heart with an extra two-kilo weight burden.  

Although last to leave the gates, rider Michael McNab improved his position to three back on the inner where Prise De Fer travelled sweetly on the bridle, and once clear on the straightening he levelled in front at the 300m. With victory appearing uncertain, he found plenty once sighting two closers over the concluding stages and won well.

On Good3 footing, he ran the 1600 metres in a tidy 1.35.9.

Last season, Prise De Fer showed ability when contesting the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Listed, 1600m), Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), and NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), and despite the hefty impost punters stuck by to make him favourite ($3.50 & $1.60). His record stands at three wins, two seconds, and a third, from nine starts. 

“He never gave it away and it was a good tough win under a big weight,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “We thought he could be a suitable horse for the Coupland's (Gr. 2, 1600m), but he's not quite there yet. So, we might instead give him a freshen-up and try sneaking him into a race like the Rich Hill Mile (Gr. 2, 1600m on 1 January at Ellerslie). We'll see how he pulls up and do what's best.

“I thought Michael gave him a lovely ride and it capped a very good day for the tangerine.”

Owned by the Te Akau En Guarde Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. 

“I was so thrilled to see Prise De Fer win again,” Ellis said. “It was one of the best rides you'd ever see by Michael McNab. When he pulled the whip through to the left hand that horse just found another gear. It was a beautiful ride from a young guy that is so fit and trying so hard. It gave me a massive thrill.

“He's a horse I bought off Raffles Farm, prepared by Trelawney Stud, and we've had so much success with horses we've bought from their drafts. Brent and Cherry Taylor do an amazing job with the horses they prepare for the sales and it was fantastic.

“Opie (Bosson) has been riding this horse in training and telling me just how much he's improved. I was over at the stables on Tuesday afternoon and with the warmer weather, like a lot of the horses, he's now starting to thrive and do really well. 

“He's a horse Jamie has been patient with, still has some maturing to do, but I think he could go through the grades to the top. He looks to me like he could eventually be competitive over a bit more ground, too.”

Prise De Fer was strapped by Kate Belsham. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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