Six Win Saturday - Win No.4 Kahma Lass - Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas

Opie Bosson has ridden more Group 1 winners than any other jockey in the history of New Zealand racing, and again at his brilliant best guiding Kahma Lass (3 f Darci Brahma - Distinctive Lass, by Orientate) to victory in the $300,000 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday at Riccarton.

Owned by Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay, and racing in the same colours of stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel), winner of the iconic $1m Epsom Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) in October at Royal Randwick, Kahma Lass became the fifth winner of the three-year-old fillies classic for Te Akau Racing.

“What a ride, my goodness gracious and it's pretty bloody exciting,” said Brendan Lindsay. “We thought we had a chance, but there were a lot of really good fillies in the race and we're pleased to be saluting the Judge, trust me.

“We've had a fantastic time down here this week and gosh they know how to put a good time on, these Christchurch people.”

Having recorded a clinical Maiden victory over 1200 metres in October at Avondale, Kahma Lass closed powerfully in the fastest last 600m (33.9), beaten a nose, in the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 24 October at Te Rapa, in a performance that rang bells for those assessing likely candidates to take out 1000 Guineas.

In a copybook ride, Bosson negated an awkward barrier (11) and drove Kahma Lass into a trailing position four back on the rail. From 10^that the 600m, he angled clear in centre track at the 300m and she unleashed a big finish to win convincingly.

“I was kidding to myself turning for home,” said Bosson, notching his 77^thGroup 1 success. “I had a lapful of horse and just needed the splits. The splits all came at the right time and she had the turn of foot to get through them.”

In a race where stable-mate Cornflower Blue also produced a top performance for third, Kahma Lass ran the 1600 metres in 1:36.7, last 600m in 34.3, and paid $7.30 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She's a good filly and we've got the right man on board,” said leading trainer Jamie Richards. “We get a big thrill out of winning races for Brendan and Jo, they've been fantastic. She's a filly David (Ellis) bought at Karaka, so all good and everyone's happy.

“She'd gone the right way since the Soliloquy (Stakes), in the feed bin and her work at home has been pretty sharp. 

“We knew she was pretty sharp when she trialled as a two-year-old at Te Aroha, but she had a few little maturity issues and bits and pieces which meant we had to give her a bit of time. But, that's the good thing about training for Brendan & Jo, and Henry (Plumptre), nothing is a problem and they give horses time if they need it. They've been rewarded here with a lovely filly. 

“It is a special win, especially having Dad (Paul Richards) down here with the horses and a great team of staff. So, I can't thank him enough for everything he's done.”

A high-class filly with a beautiful walk, deep girth and powerful hindquarter, Kahma Lass was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $290,000 at the Karaka 2019 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. From the same draft in 2015, Ellis also bought her brother, Distinctive Darci. A smart four-length trial winner on debut at Te Aroha, he transferred to Mark Walker in Singapore, winning 10 races, including a Group 2 and over NZ$1 million in prize money. A half-brother, Kuro (Denman), won five stakes races in a total of eight wins, and Southern Lad (Ocean Park) has won five in Australia.

“She was an absolutely beautiful filly, very correct, a beautiful mover, with an enormous amount of quality about her,” Ellis said. “Rich in colour, she was probably the standout Darci Brahma filly of the sale for us.

“I'm so thrilled for Brendan & Jo (Lindsay). They asked me to buy one horse for them at the Karaka Sales last year and she was the one I chose. It was a terrific win and also a great run for third by Waikato Stud's filly Cornflower Blue. She went a super race and she's going to win a Group 1 race, too, in my opinion. 

“It's an honour to train these good horses for the studs and I'm proud to have these two fillies carrying the colours of Cambridge Stud, and Waikato Stud. 

“I don't know how many Group 1 wins Opie (Bosson) has ridden for us, but his success has been incredible. He had the pick of our three horses in the race and he chose Kahma Lass. As usual, he got it right and he's an amazing judge, such an important part of our team, and back in the zone. I'm so happy for him.”

Kahma Lass became the fifth 1000 Guineas' winner for Te Akau, having won most recently with Risque (Darci Brahma) in 2015 and previously with Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), King's Rose (Redoute's Choice), and Insouciant (Keeper). 

“Kahma Lass is our 11^thstakes winner for the season,” Ellis said. “I bought her sire Darci Brahma as a yearling at Karaka. He won the 2000 Guineas by five lengths and won five Group 1 races before becoming a Champion Stallion. I always loved his progeny, love watching them all race and it's incredible that both Guineas' winners during the carnival were both sired by previous winners of the race. 

“They both continue to be high quality races, won by some terrific Champions over the years and it's just amazing for us to have now won 11 of them (Guineas) in the past 16 years.”

Ellis said he would now be turning his attentions to the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, next week (18^th& 19^thNovember) at Karaka.

“The Ready to Run Sale is a very important sale for our industry and the sale is going to represent unique buying opportunities for our owners,” he said.

“We've seen some really nice horses at the sale and we hope to be very active when it comes to buying.

“We'll post the lots we buy on our website and Facebook etc, and if people want to be involved they're welcome to give Karyn or me a ring, come out and see us at the sale and they'll be made to feel very welcome.”

Kahma Lass was strapped by Lydia Truesdale. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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