Remington's a Ripper

Remington (4 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm, by Cape Cross) not only enhanced his formidable course record when winning the $30,000 Hills Refrigerated Transport Rating 82 1400 metres on Coupland's Bakeries' Mile Day at Riccarton, but also took his race record to four wins and four seconds from eight starts.

Owned by the Te Akau Remington Steele Syndicate, he was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $75,000, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, out of the impressive winner and stakes' placed mare Kudamm (Cape Cross), who notched three of her four wins over 1600 metres.

“I bought him off Sir Peter Vela at Karaka, who I also bought his champion sire Darci Brahma from and Darci won the 2000 Guineas here among five Group One wins,” Ellis said.

“Remington is out of a really good mare. We trained Kudamm and thought she was our Oaks' filly in her three-year-old season, but she had soundness problems and was retired. I always kept in the back of my mind that she could leave a really good horse.

“Remington is a horse that shows plenty of ability and great heart. Jamie (Richards) and the team down South have done a wonderful job with him. He has really thrived during his spring campaign and we expect after a break he can continue his good form into autumn.”

Under the guidance of Opie Bosson, Remington settled fifth in a field of seven, worked through a gap in centre track at the 300m and stretched out beautifully to win comfortably by three-quarters of a length.

“He got a beautiful run,” Bosson said. “I thought I was going to get held up for a bit in the straight, but he's so honest and ran right through the line. He took a while to wind up, but once he sees the line he attacks it.”

On Good3 footing, Remington ran the 1400 metres in 1:23.6, last 600m in 34.0, and backed as virtually unbeatable he returned $1.30 & $1.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

It was the 36^th win this season for premiership leading Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards, including seven stakes victories, and continued his terrific strike rate (4.3).

“It was a lovely ride by Opie and Remington has been one of the finds amongst the horses we've campaigned through the spring from our base at Riccarton,” Richards said.

“He's a progressive horse that continues to develop and he'll head home for a nice break at Te Akau Stud, before preparing for some better races after Christmas. He's a lovely type of horse that Dave (Ellis) bought off Pencarrow and he shapes to work his way through to open company.”

Gearing up for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale on 21 & 22 November at Karaka, Ellis took time out to attend the racing the Riccarton.

“I'm really looking forward to buying at the sale. I bought Group One winners Gingernuts and Hall of Fame, and also Te Akau Shark, from the Ready to Run Sale and I've seen some really nice horses in the sale this year.

“I'd also like to congratulate the CJC (Canterbury Jockey Club) on another great carnival. The track is fantastic and everything here is really good.”

Remington was strapped by Libby Richards.