Third Leg of Winning Treble

Owned by the same Te Akau 2016 Breeding Syndicate that races 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Embellish (Savabeel), Pacific Coast (3 g Snitzel - Malibu Road, by Malibu Moon) may no longer be a colt, but looks to have a bright racing future.

Presented in tremendous order for his fresh-up assignment in the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 14 March at Matamata, Pacific Coast required gelding and had a bone chip removed from a fetlock after one start as a two-year-old, on the same course in a race won by stable-mate Griffin (Iffraaj).

A stylish trial winner before racing, he looked good without being extended to finish third in a trial on 27 February at Avondale, and appeared capable of a bold first up performance.

Winning the race sponsored by Trees Tavern & Matley Financial Services, at the annual meeting for the South Waikato Racing Club, was a feather in the cap for both horse and rider.

Returning former Te Akau apprentice Shafiq Rusof had guided stable-mates Byzantine (Savabeel), Miss Scandinavia (Smart Missile) and Remington (Darci Brahma) into second place since kicking off last Saturday at Trentham, and the win was well deserved.

“It's good to have him (Shafiq) back from Singapore. He was twice Champion apprentice up there and ridden a Singapore Gold Cup winner,” said Jamie Richards, who trains alongside Stephen Autridge. “He's here to work, riding work each morning, and very good with the stick in both hands. He's an asset."

Shafiq said: “It's nice to back and riding some winners. I want to thank my biggest supporter, David Ellis, all of Te Akau, Steve and Jamie, the stable hands, and all the connections.

“I had to go forward and it was only his second start, so it was good to follow the leader and he was strong to the line.”

Pacific Coast (No. 20 in the race book) was smartly away from barrier nine, but rather than rush to cross in front, Shafiq balanced him outside the leader, had a slight advantage in a line of five on straightening and he went on to score in good fashion.

Paying $11.00 & $3.30 on the NZ TAB tote, Pacific Coast ran the 1200 metres in 1:12.2, last 600m in 36.5, on Dead6 footing.

In a syndicate managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, Pacific Coast was purchased by David Ellis at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Curraghmore Stud.

“Our young apprentice Nik Bakar gave him a lovely trial at Avondale, which really brought him on, and Suppy (Shafiq) rode him positively from the gates, got him in a good spot. It wasn't easy for the first couple of hundred (metres), but he gave good kick and he's a nice horse,” Richards said.

“Unfortunately he's had a couple of little problems with his joints. But as a gelding, he could work his way through the grades.”

Accepting the spoils on behalf of the owners, from David Waine (Secretary and Treasurer of the South Waikato Racing Club), Jim Hepburn said: “It was a very good win and a good ride by Shafiq. He's a very good rider. Thank you very much to the sponsors, we really appreciate it, and we are very pleased to be in this refurbished room (Waikato Stud Winner's Circle). The horse has been a bit of a problem child, but well done to Steve and Jamie, and it's always nice to get a win.”

Boasting a lovely Danzig influence on each side of his pedigree, Pacific Coast is from a family that oozes group performers.

His third dam, Blush with Pride (Blushing Groom), won the Kentucky Derby and the family includes Belmont Stakes winners Rags to Riches (A. P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold).

Plenty of stamina through the third dam is offset further up in the pedigree, with his sire Snitzel (Redoute's Choice) being a powerful sprint influence that has also seen his quality stretch to Cox Plate winner Shamus Award (Snitzel).

“I was thrilled for the owners in Pacific Coast, because everything possible that could wrong with a horse has gone wrong with him,” said David Ellis.

“I remember him taking everything in his stride at the yearling sales and having a terrific temperament. He was a classy colt, beautifully balanced, with a great pedigree, from one of the best families in the world, but nothing has gone his way until now.

“The owners in the syndicate have already tasted group one success, and I can see this horse going to another level next season. So, that was a particular thrill for me to see the horse win and also to see Shafiq ride him.

“Shafiq has ridden so many winners for us in Singapore, after starting here as a Te Akau apprentice in Matamata. He rode him beautifully and rest assured he's a very welcome addition to the riding ranks in New Zealand.

“I remember Opie (Bosson) telling me that when Shafiq was an apprentice he thought he had beautiful balance and his opinion he would become a really good rider. He has.

“We won three (races) in row there today at Matamata, so that's great for the team and just shows you what a great bunch of people and horses we have, headed by Steve and Jamie.”

Pacific Coast was strapped by Teina Walters.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz