Wide Awake Wins Woodville Cup

A perfectly judged ride by Danielle Johnson saw Wide Awake (4 g Savabeel - Kay's Awake, by Towkay) prevail with some authority in the $20,000 Woodville Cup over 2100 metres on 25 January at Woodville.

Racing consistently, following a recent win at Avondale, and well credentialed fifth at Ellerslie, Wide Awake was tempted with a step in distance and handled it nicely.

In the race sponsored by Bambry's Water Treadmill, Wide Awake was allowed to find his feet back in the field. With competition on the pace helping matters, he travelled ominously nearing the home turn and after ranging easily to challenge at the 200m proceeded to put his opposition away.

Winning by one and three-quarter lengths, Wide Awake ran the 2100 metres in 2:09.9 on Good2 footing and $3.10 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote was his best return.

“The race worked out nicely for him and he won really well,” said Johnson, having her first ride on the horse. “The plan was to ride him back and get rolling into it from the 800m. He got a good track around the corner and ended up winning quite dominantly.

“He really wants to be a racehorse and was very happy with himself afterwards.”

Purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $150,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, from the draft of Monovale Farm, Wide Awake has been patiently handled by trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards to register his third win from 13 starts for the Te Akau Wide Awake Syndicate.

“It was a great win and I think there is a lot more in store for him as he continues to mature,” Ellis said. “Some really good friends of mine share in his ownership and I was thrilled for all his owners, as they've been very patient, and to win the Woodville Cup was a big thrill for me.

“I bought his two older brothers, Alert and Rise ‘N' Shine, both by by Zabeel (Sir Tristram). They had plenty of ability and this horse does too, and it's incredible the success the stable is having with Zabeel's son Savabeel.”

Alert was a brilliant trial winner before breaking through as an early three-year-old and going on to race in the NZ Derby, and Rise ‘N' Shine also showed ability early on at the trials before joining Mark Walker at Te Akau Singapore, where he recorded three wins from his first five starts and $142,000 in stakes earnings.

“Jamie (Richards) has been doing the yearling inspections with me this week at Karaka (ahead of the National Yearling Sales Series, commencing 5 p.m. on 28 January),” Ellis said. “And Steve has been running the stables and it's a great team effort when you see horses win like that.”

Ellis said that the Waikato Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) could be within his grasp in the future, and races of similar ilk.

“He's a horse that's always promised a lot, although probably a touch disappointing at times, but very pleased with the way he won today and aided by a lovely ride from Danielle,” Richards said.

“He got out in clear air and was really good to the line. He's by Savabeel, who is obviously doing a fantastic job, and hopefully he can make his way through the grades as a staying type horse. And he's from a really good mare in Kay's Awake. Dave (Ellis) has bought a few out of the family and they have all been able to gallop.

“Again credit to the team at home, as he went south for the meeting on Monday only to have it postponed, so we left him down there and Harry Bull has looked after him for a couple of days and did a great job.

“It's pleasing to have these successes as we head into a massive week of sales at Karaka, and Dave, Mark (Walker), and I are really looking forward to buying some of the lovely yearlings on offer.”

His dam, Kay's Awake, showed to be an impressive performer in her career of six wins and was regarded as one of the very best race mares over the past decade in New Zealand, placing twice behind both Darci Brahma (Danehill) and Seachange (Cape Cross).

“I remember Kay's Awake when she was racing against Darci Brahma. She finished third to him in a Telegraph, was a top-class mare, and it's great to see her continuing the good work as a broodmare,” Ellis said.

“Wide Awake was bred by Joe and Max Smithies at Monovale Farm. They are two young guys that are doing an outstanding job, following on from their father (Paul), and they've got some lovely yearlings in the sale and they deserve all the success they get.

“They always have a horse or two in our stable and they're a great family.”

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz