Splurge Splashes Out

Good-looking colt Splurge (3 c Savabeel - Splashing Out, by O'Reilly) improved on his last start second to get the chocolates in the Matamata Glass & Joinery Maiden 1600 metres on April 4 at Matamata.

Blinkers and a tongue tie had sharpened him to race outside the leader in the Maiden 1400 metres on Slow7 at Te Aroha, and it was only the last few strides that saw him collared by the touted Terrifique (Teofilo), and a minor gear change to visor blinkers helped him break through.

While a wide draw often inhibits chances, on this occasion it was considered easier to work across and jockey Matt Cameron had him into second soon after the start. Splurge appeared to travel best cornering the 400m and sent for home with a two length advantage at the 200m he kept finding to win well.

Backed in late to return $3.60 & $1.40 on the tote, Splurge ran the 1600 metres in 1:36.8 and last 600m in 37.7.

It was the 82^nd win this season for the training partnership of Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, giving them a buffer of five wins over their nearest rival.

“It was great to see him win,” said Richards. “He is a colt of the highest quality; there is no doubt about that.  We have had a few issues with him, but it was good to see him improve last time and improve again. And the penny seems to have dropped.

“He is owned by very loyal owners, who have been extremely patient and after doing a fair bit of work early we could not have been more impressed by his win.

“He will be likely to have a couple more races, providing we can find decent footing, before the tracks begin to pack up and we look forward to his four-year-old season as he is a horse on the improve,” said Richards.

A valuable colt, Splurge was purchased by David Ellis for $500,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and subsequently owned by the Te Akau 2014 Breeding Syndicate.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “When I came to the sales I thought Waikato Stud had the best draft I had ever seen and I've bought their best yearling.”

Splashing Out commenced her racing career with a hat-trick of wins, culminating in the Thoroughbred Club (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Caulfield, before finishing second in the Ascot Vale (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Flemington.

At stud, she has already left five time winner Shopaholic (Pins), successful in the Vanity Stakes (Gr. 3, 1410m) at Flemington, and the Armanasco Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Caulfield. Along with debut winner Spending (Pins).

He is from one of Waikato Stud's most potent and current families including quadruple Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), who won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), AJC Doncaster (Gr. 1, 1600m) twice, and George Main Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

“He's a special horse, all over: pedigree, type, attitude, everything,” said Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick. “He is a real standout and it is probably the most we had ever paraded a horse, such was the interest in him. There was a lot of competition for him in the ring and we're rapt he's gone to such a good home.

“We're fortunate in more ways than one to have David (Ellis) involved,” said Garry Chittick, Waikato Stud. “It's all very well to say that he has gone out and bought these horses and as vendors we're lucky, and we are, but I think New Zealand is lucky that a lot of those horses, because of his buying strength, are going to stay and race in New Zealand. He is buying a lot of the top quality horses.

“So, it's a double edged sword. As vendors we're delighted, and the industry should be happy that these horses are around. It certainly is fantastic for us to have his support and hopefully New Zealand will benefit from the quality of horse that David has bought and syndicated,” said Chittick.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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