Two Awesome Awapuni Wins

Talented mare Our Abbadean (4 m Lookin At Lucky - Highland Lights, by Fantastic Light) bounced back in terrific fashion with a long odds ($22.30 & $5.90) victory in the $22,500 Hunting & Fishing Rating 75 1400 metres on Saturday at Awapuni.

Very good when recording back-to-back wins and then a strong second in March/April, Our Abbadean had been given a freshen by trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards following a sub-par run in September.

And while the dividends were probably a fair reflection of her recent form line, it was over's when considering her autumn exploits and the prospect of her returning to form.

In addition, Our Abbadean was given an inch perfect ride by Michael McNab, who had enjoyed a double aboard Te Akau runners on Thursday at Hastings, and notched three wins on the card at Awapuni, including two for the Autridge/Richards partnership.

Into gear as soon as the gates opened, Our Abbadean slotted in fifth, ranged ominously on the first three at the 200m and raced clear to win easing down by two lengths.

She ran the 1400 metres in 1:24.6 on Good3 footing.

It was a dominant win against pretty solid Rating 75 opposition and signalled the start of another good campaign.

“Her form was a bit disappointing in the spring, with a few hormonal issues that caused her to tie up a little bit,” Richards said.

“She's come back in terrific order, we were really pleased with her work during the week, the addition blinkers have been a big help and it was great to see her jump and take up a good spot.

“When she's right she looks like she's got black type in her and we would really like to thank the Hawkins family for taking her home for a freshen-up and looking after her.”

Bred and owned by the Hawkins family at Wentwood Grange, who have sold six Group One winners, Our Abbadean has now recorded three wins from ten starts.

“It was fantastic,” said Dean Hawkins, who reported that most of the family got a few dollars from the win.

“You can hear the roar when they come home at twenty-two dollars, but not as much when it's a dollar ninety and she certainly won a lot better than a twenty-two dollar shot.

“She just didn't come as well in the spring as we hoped and Jamie (Richards) suggested we turn her out for a couple of weeks, while the wet weather was around.

“We really liked the Mr. Prospector line through the mare, and found that in Lookin At Lucky, as we'd had a lot of success with Faltaat,” said Hawkins, reflecting on Group One winning mares Little Bridge and Miss Raggedy Ann which they bred.

“He was a good racehorse (Lookin At Lucky) and she (Highland Lights) was a young mare.  She has a good pedigree and Fantastic Light is proving to be a very good broodmare stallion.

“The ability is there and she has just needed to strengthen up.  We've always thought a lot of her.”

“It's great to win another race for the Hawkins family,” said David Ellis.

“They are really good breeders, terrific supporters of the racing industry and it's always a thrill to win races for them.

“They've had horses in our stable for a long time and they're a great family to train for.”

Karyn Fenton-Ellis added "the Hawkins' family under the Wentwood Grange banner is a huge supporter of the Waikato Racing Club and today was Waikato Cup Day and again there was a Wentwood-sponsored 2YO race - with the team on course for their Christmas party - I was just thrilled to hear the cheers coming from their room."

Our Abbadean was strapped by Kerstin Bloch.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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