Sense of Timing Perfect Timing

Sense of Timing (3 f Time Test – Pin Up Lae, by Pins) made amends for an unlucky first-up run when winning the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1400 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus) on 28 December at Rotorua.

With trial form behind talented stable-mate What You Wish For (Embellish), and having beaten subsequent O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes' (Listed, 1340m) winner Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) at Rotorua, Sense Of Timing finished fourth in her sole start as a two-year-old, before being stymied for room when resuming in the Maiden 3YO 1230 metres on 10 December at Rotorua - very unlucky indeed.

Looking for redemption, but unfortunately drawing the outside gate (12), Sense Of Timing ended up being posted three wide in fifth under stable rider Opie Bosson. Nonetheless, she ranged into contention on straightening and displayed plenty of resolve to quicken best over the concluding stages.

“She’s a nice filly, she relaxed beautifully and found plenty when she needed to,” said Bosson, on dismounting.

On footing that remained Soft6 throughout the day, Sense Of Timing ran 1400 metres in 1:25.1, last 600m in 35.2 (approx.), and paid $3.70 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a really good effort after being caught wide and she hit the line very strongly,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“She’s a filly that found the Spring a little bit difficult, so we put her aside and she’s come back much better.

“We’ll give her a chance to run in a stakes' race and she will go to Trentham on 20 January for the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) for three-year-old fillies.

“Dave (Ellis) bought her out of the Book 2 Sale at Karaka, from Little Avondale Stud, which has been an amazing breeder for decades. Incredible results have come off that farm and we’ve had some really good horses through the stable with the LA brand.”

Owned by Te Akau Perfect Timing Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Sense Of Timing was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud. 

In the sales ring at auction time, Walker said: “She’s a beautiful filly by an exciting young sire, out of a Pins mare, out of a Zabeel mare. 

“She’s a beautiful mover and very athletic filly, with plenty of scope. She’s the type to race as an autumn two-year-old and train on to be a lovely three-year-old, like the family suggests. 

“There is some very good Australian form throughout the family and prepared by one of the best studs in New Zealand. She represents terrific value.”

By young sire Time Test (Dubawi), which stand at LA Stud, Sense Of Timing is from a mare by outstanding all-round sire Pins (Snippets).

Twice, Pins was NZ leading sire for global progeny earnings and does tremendously as a broodmare sire.

Pin Up Lae has now left four individual winners, while grand-dam, good staying mare and producer, Laebeel (Zabeel) was a Listed winner and Group One and Two placed. 

Further back in the pedigree, fourth dam Laelia (Oncidium – Froth), was trained by Bart Cummings and won the Adelaide Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m). 

"I am really pleased to see our Executive Assistant Shanti Brown and her partner Craig Johnston win their first race. New owners, they bought a share in this filly after the sale and I know there was a lot of excitement in their household with family and friends cheering the filly on," said Ellis. 

On course to witness the win were part-owners John & Beth Porteous, who have also shared in Te Akau horses Entriviere (Tavistock) and Spirit Of Galway (Rip Van Winkle), along with another part-owner Denise Alexander.

Alexander said: “I get the sales catalogues and when she walked into the sales' ring I thought I really liked her. My partner John saw Laelia on the page and said she was a really good filly for Bart Cummings - so we were in.”

Sense Of Timing was strapped by Ahbi Pawar.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz