Tauranga Te Akau Double - Skew Wiff Wonderful

In the colours of Waikato Stud, Skew Wiff (3 f Savabeel - Starvoia, by Starcraft) won as expected in the $14,000 Ultimate Mazda Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 19 October at Tauranga.

On debut as a two-year-old, she closed late for fifth over 1200 metres in January at Te Aroha, in a race won by stable-mate Kabugee (Satono Aladdin), who made it two from two when resuming last Sunday at Rotorua.

She then staged a big run for second to Group performed Desert Lightning (Pride of Dubai) in February at Ruakaka, and made up plenty of ground for fifth fresh-up in the Maiden 1200 metres on 24 August at Taupo, won by stable-mate and subsequent Guineas' Trial winner Cognito (So You Think).

Given reprieve by trainer Mark Walker, she had since recorded two smart trial wins at Waipa, and rated a top three chance from barrier four, with stable rider Opie Bosson aboard.

Beginning well to secure a perfect spot, fourth on the outer, Skew Wiff was presented on straightening, quickened to lead a furlong out and scampered clear to win easily by two and a half lengths.

On footing (Soft5) with the sting out, she ran 1200 metres in 1:11.9 and justified favouritism to pay $2.10 & $1.30 on the TAB tote.

“She's a lovely Waikato Stud filly and it was a good win,” Walker said.

“We've been patient with her, her barrier manners have improved and she's got a really bright future that seems capable of featuring black type.”

Skew Wiff is the first foal from impressive stakes' winning sprinter Starvoia (Starcraft), and carries a sire line cross of the brilliant Nureyev (Northern Dancer), a stallion renowned for injecting quality into any breed, the ability to accelerate, and some beautiful movers.

Waikato Stud owner Mark Chittick said: “She had a couple of X-ray issues, although nothing that was going to hold her back, so we withdrew her from the yearling sales and she was certainly one that David (Ellis) had shown interest in early on while she was still in the yearling prep.

“So it made sense that she went to Te Akau, but she's been a handful, doing silly things out of the gates and not settling, and all credit to Mark (Walker) and Opie (Bosson) and their expertise in ironing out the issues.

“Opie said after her last trial win that we just need to get on with her now and that shows his experience in situations like this. And, because of that, we saw a better filly today.

“There were a few people that questioned me as to whether we carried on with her, but we've always known she had ability and she's now heading in the right direction.

“We bought the mare Starvoia after she finished racing, but I'd always known the family as we had the fourth dam, Meant For Me (Noble Bijou), here on the farm for Scotty Williams.

“You give them a bit of time and the old families come back.”

Chittick also reported that Waikato Stud has a Super Seth (Dundeel) filly out of Starvoia and that she is in foal to Noverre (Savabeel).

Skew Wiff was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz