Riccarton Double - Insatiable Inspirational

Following a strong last start performance, Insatiable (6 g All Too Hard – All Day Baby, by More Than Ready) was rewarded with victory in the $25,000 C S Stevens Memorial Banks Peninsula Cup (Open Handicap, 1100 metres) on 4 February at Riccarton.

Given time (52 days) by trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson since running home strongly for second in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 14 December at Trentham, Insatiable has a good course record, including third in the Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m) during Cup Week in November, and rated a top three chance from barrier one.

Ridden by Triston Moodley (a1), who was also aboard winning stable-mate Perlino (Super Seth) earlier in the programme, Insatiable was off the trail to challenge the pacemaker, Spartan (War Decree), approaching the home turn and kept up a strong gallop to prevail.

“As I hit the front, I thought I’ve gone too soon, but he’s a tough horse and the way he kept up to the line was really good,” Moodley said.

“He was the best horse in the field, so we expected nothing less from him today, and glad he could win.

“He’s a quality horse, he’s been consistent and he always runs well. Hopefully with the win under his belt, he can take some confidence and go on with it.”

It was also a good performance by stable-mate Malmaison (Darci Brahma), a dual course winner, who fought hard for third following an economical trip.

On footing upgraded to Soft6, Insatiable ran 1100 metres in 1:03.1 and firmed in to dominate betting as a $2.00 win favourite on the NZ TAB tote.

An imposing individual that has continued to improve with maturity, Insatiable has proved best when his races have been spaced and now has five wins, placing nine times, from 26 starts. 

On course, Bergerson said: “He’s a cheeky bugger at times, but good to see him to win like that. He’s always all around it, running in good races, and he just got there – thank God.

“He was quite nicely placed at the weights (54.5kg), but he’ll grab a few rating points and start to have to lug weight, but we think he can and on his day he’s quite talented. 

“He’s just got a few tricks, mentally, so we have to keep him guessing, but Hunter (Durrant) and the team have done a really good job with him.”

“It was great to see him back in the Winner’s Circle, today, and a nice ride by Triston Moodley to put the race to the leader and get the job done,” Walker added. 

“Our assistant trainer Hunter Durrant and his team at Riccarton have got the horses looking and racing in really good form.

“He’s putting together a good record, Insatiable, and he’s one we’ve had to be patient with being a slower maturing type of horse. 

“The owners have been patient, too, but he’s a great horse to own and I think he’s got more to come in the future.”

Insatiable was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $190,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and owned by Te Akau All Too Much Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“He’s a credit to the training team, the way they’ve managed him and if he’s not winning, then he’s generally not far away,” Ellis said.

“He’s always been a good horse, but required time to fill out into a big frame, and the last couple of seasons his form has been really solid.

“He’s got some notable owners, including All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, and he’s been a great horse to own, not only as a beautiful big type of horse but also because of his consistency.”

The sire of Insatiable, All Too Hard (Casino Prince), is a half-brother to the unbeaten champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), who won all 25 starts, including 15 Group One wins, while also the sire of Queensland Horse of the Year Alligator Blood, Champion Sprinter in Hong Kong, Wellington, and multiple Group One winners Behemoth and Forbidden Love. 

All Too Hard is also the sire of Stefi Magnetica, the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr. 1, 1400m) winner and 2023/24 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly in Australia. 

All Too Hard has sired 78 stakes winners and 1900 wins in total.

Dam All Day Baby is by international sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo). A world-renowned stallion, More Than Ready has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved to be an outstanding sire of sires, and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire.

Insatiable was strapped Peter Van Rooyen.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz