Riccarton Double - Courageous Cognito

Previous course winner Cognito (6 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) resumed with a terrific victory in the $50,000 Open Handicap 1580 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.

Securing a second win on the programme for Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, after Belle Du Monde scored fresh-up in the 3YO 1000 metres, Cognito had won on the course as a three-year-old over 1400 metres, before finishing runner-up in Listed War Decree Stakes (1600m) and being a notable sixth in the Group 1 2000 Guineas - in the same season he won the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m).

From the outset, Cognito displayed ability when he won on debut over 1200 metres at Taupo, when getting home with a rush, and in the season just gone he added to his stakes' placed efforts with third in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m), showing a return to winning form would not be too far away for his very patient owners.

Although unable to quicken over a sprint trip when trialling on 17 August at Taupo, Cognito had shown he had the ability to act fresh, and he benefitted from a positive ride by Courtney Barnes.

Sent forward to trail customary leader Ears Back, Cognito was out to challenge at the top of the straight and went clear a furlong out to score dominantly by one length. 

“It was good to see him back,” Barnes said. “He’d had a couple of trials up north in good company, so I was confident he would go an okay race, but it was so good to see him back in winning form.

“My instructions were to go forward and off today’s fresh-up effort, he’s still got a bit of improvement to come in his coat.”

It was also a solid effort by stable-mate Stonybreck (Tavistock), coming from eighth with a strong run for third. The winner of seven races, Stonybreck had blinkers on for the assignment and continues to race in good form. 

“It was a really good run to win fresh-up like that and he looks to have come back in great order, after having a surgery procedure for kissing spine on his back,” Walker said.

“So, it’s encouraging to see him resume racing with a win and Courtney (Barnes) rode a top race on him.

“He’ll step up now in the Open Handicap 1800 metres there in a fortnight (13 September), and the way he ran through the line today gives us confidence going forward.

“The owners have been very patient with him and it’s great to see him reward them with another win.”

In the race named Join TAB Racing Club, Cognito ran 1580 metres in 1:34.8 on footing that upgraded late in the day to Soft5, and drifted substantially in betting to pay $12.20 & $3.60 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Now the winner of five races, Cognito is owned by the Te Akau Think Ahead Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), having been purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$165,000, from the draft of Baramul Stud, at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

“He’s returned to form and let’s hope it carries on,” said assistant trainer Hunter Durrant, on course.

“Getting back on a good track, or Soft5 as it is now, was the key. He jumped well and Courtney (Barnes) put him in the race, which was a great ride.”

Built in the mould of 10-time Group One winning sire So You Think (High Chaparral), and from a mare by international stallion More Than Ready (Southern Halo), Cognito carries a bloodline cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer. 

His dam Lady Primrose has also left five-time winner Presser (Press Statement) and dual winner Hard Lady (All Too Hard), both in Australia, while his grand-dam Primrose Sands, by Champion Sire and Broodmare Sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram), was a stakes' winner and Group Two placed over 2000 metres – winning nine times, including eight in succession, from 1200m to 2000m – and she left three winners of eight races. 

Cognito was strapped by Molly Coutts.

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