The King 'Kanes' It

Bringing clearly the best form and backed accordingly, King Kane (3 g Showcasing - Vannista Belle, by Van Nistelrooy) gave punters no need for concern when winning with his ears pricked on 6 November at Hastings.

Given an unflustered ride by Michael McNab, who has formed a good association with the striking individual, King Kane found a nice spot in sixth on the rail behind a tearaway pacemaker. Let stride into contention at the 600m, he powered on to lead at the 200m and had the liberty of easing near the line.

Scoring by two and a quarter lengths in 1:37.6 for 1600 metres in the Stephen Hill Motors Maiden, King Kane returned $2.50 & $1.50 on the tote.

A wide draw had cost King Kane finishing closer when coming from the rear and running a faster final 600m (35.7) than the winner, Floating Heart (Encosta De Lago), last time out at Ruakaka, after galloping home solidly from midfield for fifth to Symphonic (O'Reilly) on debut prior at Te Rapa, and the experience of two race day starts was evident in the victory.

“It was a nice patient ride, which resulted in a good win,” said Jamie Richards, who co-trains the horse with Stephen Autridge for the Vermair King Kane Syndicate.

“We had thought to ride him handier, but Michael did the right thing when they were four and five deep going to the first corner and after an economical trip he found the line really well.  It's lovely to have a horse in the stable for Brendon (McCullum) and Vermair Racing, after they picked him out at the Ready to Run Sale.

“He's done nothing but continue to improve and he's a lovely big horse with a good action, and the staff at home have done a really good job with him,” Richards said.

Richards feels that King Kane is the type to keep getting better with time and could be ready to tackle the best of his age after Christmas, views shared by Vermair Racing Manager Michael Hughes.

“Steve and Jamie have been patient with the horse, handled him really well and he should be able to race against the three-year-old colts and geldings after Christmas,” Hughes said.

“He's always shown plenty of raw ability, but the boys have kept a lid on it, placed him well, and he should go through the grades quite nicely.  He's owned by a great group of people and we have a really good syndicate behind the horse.

“Two thousand metres and beyond might be his go, as he's a big, rangy type of horse; he certainly covers the ground and he seems pretty clean winded.  His pedigree is not that of an out and out stayer, but his second dam is by Sir Tristram and although not a dour family there has been winners over 2400 metres.

“He had a Guineas nomination, but was probably a touch immature to have that sort of pressure put on him and it takes special horse to go to Christchurch and come back and then go on for races like the Derby in the New Year.

“He's had a couple of trips away, to Ruakaka, and Hastings, which all helps mentally and we should reap the rewards,” Hughes said.

Te Akau principal David Ellis was delighted with King Kane notching his first win.

“What a thrill it is for Te Akau to be involved with one of the greatest sporting legends in our lifetime,” Ellis said.

“What Brendon McCullum has achieved in his sporting career is quite outstanding and I'm just so proud that Karyn & I and the Te Akau team are involved with him and this horse.

“King Kane is the first horse we have trained for Vermair and we're thrilled that he has won, and I think there is a lot more to come from the horse.

“He looked really good in winning,” added Ellis.

King Kane was the sixth winner in as many days for Te Akau, following victories by Echezeaux (Encosta De Lago), Beaumarchais (Savabeel), Paradise Rock (Fastnet Rock), Summer Monsoon (Stratum), and top runs for third by Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Imperium (Encosta de Lago) in the Metropolitan Handicap (Listed, 2500m).  Then to cap off this fine purple patch of form, Storm Trooper (Tavistock) won well at Kranji on Sunday.

King Kane was strapped by Wiremu Pinn.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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