They Couldn't Kach Her

Deserving of victory, Can’t Kach Me (4 m Tavistock – Kachina, by Zabeel) easily obliged in the $18,500 Hygain Maiden 2200 metres on 4 April at Ashburton.

After finishing strongly for third in the Maiden 2000 metres on 23 February at Riccarton, and circling from the rear for second in the Maiden 2200 metres on 14 March at Ashburton, Can’t Kach Me contested the corresponding event and despite drawing awkwardly (8) she rated a top three chance.

Punters made Can’t Kach Me a good thing in betting and she justified the support both in the manner of winning and tote price ($1.40).

With premiership leading jockey Warren Kennedy aboard, Can’t Kach Me got back in the running, but aided by a hotly contested pace at the post with a lap to run, she travelled up with plenty to offer at the 600m and once clear she streaked away to win by three and a half lengths.

In drizzly conditions, on footing downgraded to Soft5, Can’t Kach Me ran 2200 metres in 2:19.3 and last 600m in 36.8.

“I think she wants to get there late, rather than too soon, because she has a look around and wants to button off, but she was too good for them,” Kennedy said.

Overseeing the Te Akau southern stable at Riccarton, Hunter Durrant said: “She’ll run that trip out all day, which is the good thing about her, can definitely stay and there should be some nice races coming up for her.”

Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson, said: “She’s been a slower maturing mare, but she's starting to get a bit stronger now and that win should give her some confidence. 

“I think there is more in store for her now, because she hasn’t been overtaxed and once we get her over more ground than today we could really see her best.”

Owned by the Te Akau Can’t Katch Her Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Can’t Kach Me was bred by Gerry Harvey and purchased for $170,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of KB Bloodstock.  

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “Out of a Zabeel mare, we thought she was a one of the standout fillies of the sale and there had been a lot of Group One winners bred on the same Tavistock/Zabeel cross.

“She’s correct, moves well, and has plenty of quality about her. We were happy with the way she breezed up and a must have for us, particularly on the back of Tavistock fillies through the stable like Entriviere, and being out of a mare by the Champion Sire Zabeel.”

The Tavistock (Montjeu) / Zabeel (Sir Tristram) cross has proved somewhat of genetic magic, none more so than producing Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther.

Tavistock, dual Group One winner and noted sire of (six) international Derby winners, including Werther, added terrific quality to New Zealand stallion ranks, producing robust and hardy horses with tough qualities with the ability to accelerate (quicken) at the business end, a trait for which he was heralded as a racehorse. 

The same Tavistock/Zabeel cross has also produced VRC Derby (Gr. 1, 2500m) winner, now stallion, Tarzino (ex. Zarzino), and Australasian Oaks (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner Toffee Tongue (ex. Bagalollies), a sister to Werther.

Dam Kachina is a half-sister to Hong Kong Derby winner Super Satin (Danehill Dancer), from the family of Champion HK Stayer Blazing Speed (Dylan Thomas) and Group One winners Spartacus (Danehill) and Laganore (Fastnet Rock). 

Can’t Kach Me was strapped by Naomi Warrander.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz