'The Cove' Coasts Home

Off a strong trial win, and patiently ridden by Michael McNab, Cathedral Cove (4 g Zabeel - Thistle Cove, by Quest For Fame) scored with plenty of authority on debut in the Sunset Point Bar & Bistro Stayers 1900 metres on 25 February at Wairoa.

McNab had been aboard when the smart looking staying type galloped clear to win his trial over 1400 metres recently at Matamata and in similar style he quickened wide rounding the home turn before asserting his dominance at the 200 metres with a good action.

McNab said: “He was very relaxed, travelled well into the race and put them away pretty easily”.

Somewhat surprisingly, he was heavily backed in the morning market to open at $3.00 fixed, drifting to $3.60, and paid $4.70 & $1.70 on the tote.

From the draft of Westbury Stud, Cathedral Cove was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale and the owners in the Te Akau Cathedral Cove Syndicate have received a terrific reward for their patience.

“He was passed in at the sale and I bought him privately from Gerry Harvey, who retained a share in the horse and I think that's the first winner we've trained for Gerry,” said Ellis.

The executive chairman of Harvey Norman, Gerry Harvey is also the owner of Westbury Stud.

“He's a great man and he puts a huge amount into racing, so it's a very proud day for him to have a share in a horse he bred and that now races in the tangerine,” said Ellis.

His half-sister, Wonderland (Encosta De Lago), won fresh up over 2200 metres, to indicate stoutness in the family, and the manner of victory by Cathedral Cove suggests a bright staying future.

“He's a good example of the Te Akau policy at work,” said Ellis. “Last season he didn't have the maturity to be competitive but we have spent a lot of time with him and all credit to Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) for doing such a good job in presenting the horse for his first start in winning condition.

“I think a lot of people could train a horse such as Xtravagant but the really good trainers, that on face value could be a bit disappointed with a horse, can get inside their head and work out what needs to be done and they've done a great job in my opinion,” said Ellis.

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “He's a horse by Zabeel that we have had to be patient with and he should only continue to improve.

“It was a good win, first up at 1900 metres and all going well he can take his place in the Rating 65 2100 metres on Sunday at Wairoa.

Cathedral Cove was strapped by Gary Ritchie. A better picture to come (no internet available from Wairoa today)