Te Akau Triple Saturday - Kith 'N' Kin Flies In

Indicating her readiness last time out, Kith ‘n’ Kin (4 m Almanzor – Kindred, by Pins) won the $40,000 Steve Anderton Memorial Rating 65 1200 metres on Saturday at Wingatui. 

A fresh-up winner at her third start over 970 metres in September at Cambridge (poly track), she found line from last when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 23 December at Te Rapa, and became held up before making good inroads late for fifth in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 18 January at Riccarton.

Rated a top three chance from barrier four, Kith ‘n’ Kin was smothered away in midfield before making her bid to the inside of runners in the straight and she responded gamely to the urgings of Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar.

On footing that downgraded to Soft7 after race one, Kith ‘n’ Kin ran 1200 metres in 1:13.4 and remained steady in betting to return $5.40 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

On course at Wingatui, co-trainer Sam Bergerson said: “She was forced to switch back to the inside and fair play to her, she stuck her neck out when they were coming at her and she was tough to the line.

“It’s great to pick up a Saturday race with her. She seems genuine enough and tries her heart out when she goes to the races, so that’s a good sign going forward.”

Looking after the team at New Plymouth, Bergerson's co-trainer Mark Walker added: “She probably came through on the inferior ground, so she really had to dig deep to win, and Hunter (Durrant) is doing a great job with the South Island team based at Riccarton.

“The South Island money is equivalent and she’s won a good Saturday stake. She was always going to win another race up north, but it may have taken a bit longer, and now she’s won at just her second start down south. 

“It’s great to get another winner for Ronald Lau, a true gentleman, and we really enjoy training horses for him.”

Bred and owned by Mr. Lau, Te Akau has a good understanding of the family, having trained the dam, Kindred, to record three wins including an impressive effort over 1400 metres, while grand-dam Kind Return (Zabeel) was also impressive winning over 1400m and 1600m through the summer months and finished fourth in the Auckland Cup (3200m).

Kind Return is also a half-sister to the David Ellis CNZM purchased and Te Akau trained Kindacross (Cape Cross), who finished second on the New Zealand 2YO Free Handicap after winning five times in his first season including the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Group 1, 1400m).

Interestingly, Kindacross also won the Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) that Te Akau filly Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) won today at New Plymouth. 

From the family of triple Group One winner and successful stallion Sky Chase (Star Way), the lineage has shown through in what augurs well for Kith ‘n’ Kin to become sought after and valuable as a broodmare proposition in the future.

“We’ve trained a few winners for Ronald Lau in the past and it’s great to see this mare showing really good promise,” Ellis said.

“He’ very passionate about horse racing and a loyal supporter of what we’re doing at Te Akau.

“This mare is from a very good family, by a sire (Almanzor) that continues to leave horses that are getting better with age.

“Hunter Durrant and our team are doing an amazing job for us in the South Island. Sam (Bergerson) was down there to watch them all work this morning before heading to the races and Wingatui, and he reported to me that he was thrilled with how well they all looked.”

Kith ‘n’ Kin was strapped by Sam Bergerson.