Te Akau's Awapuni Quinella

Echezeaux (4 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux, by Zabeel) headed up a Te Akau quinella in the last race on Friday at Awapuni, when the blue blood mare, bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, held out Cathedral Cove (Zabeel) in the Well Drillers Wanganui Rating 65 2100 metres.

A dominant course winner over a mile in March, Echezeaux maintained a good gallop for second when stepped up in distance for the first time in the Rating 65 2050 metres at Tauherenikau.

While Echezeaux raced handily in sixth for jockey Matt Cameron, Cathedral Cove bided his time at the rear under Michael McNab. Cameron presented her four wide to challenge on straightening, seizing an advantage in the final few bounds and holding a dashing finish from the stable-mate.

It was a game effort by Echezeaux on Dead6 footing that co-trainer Stephen Autridge questioned her ability to handle.

“It was a courageous win on track conditions that were a little bit worse than what she wanted,” said Autridge.

“Her class shone through to cope with it and providing she comes through it okay we may give her one more start before the tracks pack up.

Autridge, who with training partner Jamie Richards leads the premiership on 72 wins for the season, suggested the likelihood of better footing could see Echezeaux contest the $22,500 Rating 75  2100 metres on April 30 at Hastings.

Like her dam Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel), winner of the Australian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2000m), Echezeaux always shaped as though a middle distance would suit.

Regarded as a Blue Hen mare, the highest accolade afforded to broodmares, Grand Echezeaux is the dam of Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky) and Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), from a line that produced Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm) to win $6 million in stakes and become the pride and joy of breeder and owner Sir Peter Vela.

At only his third start, having commenced with a promising debut win over 1900 metres at Wairoa, and backing up three days later with a strong fourth on the same course, the performance by Cathedral Cove gave credence to the future of a well-built staying type.

A couple of setbacks had prevented him from racing at an earlier stage, but realistically time was always going to be his friend and the patience is being rewarded.

Echezeaux was strapped by Janet Groves-Farmer.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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