WINNER: Home Track Treble - Typhoon Too Good

Unbeaten on her home track, Typhoon Lucy (4 m Dundeel – Stormy Lucy, by Stormy Atlantic) resumed with a comfortable victory in the $18,500 Waharoa Industrial Park Rating 65 1400 metres on 16 September at Matamata.

Following wins on the programme for Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson by Geneva Queen (Swiss Ace) and Vintage Rose (Satono Aladdin), Typhoon Lucy had spelled after a stylish win over 1400 metres in March at Matamata, surged late into third when trialling on 25 August at Waipa, and labelled the ‘best of the day’ by Te Akau assistant trainer Reece Trumper. 

Ridden by Michael McNab, who was aboard for the prior victory and also the trial, Typhoon Lucy recovered to fourth inner after being tardily away from barrier two, was on the bridle 800m out, poised in third turning for home and once given her head at the 200m she raced on by.

“I came out a bit awkwardly, but still happy with the spot we got and she was too good,” McNab said.

“As it worked out, I was able to make a run in my own time and I think she’ll get to a good grade.”

It was another polished performance by a mare that has been talented from the outset, but patiently handled to win two of four starts, and now appears ready to rise through the grades.

“She travelled up strongly and it was another really good win by the mare, who looked like the winner a fair way out,” Walker said. 

“It’s great to have the famous Arrowfield colours in our stables, so thanks to John Mesara and Peter Collier, and great to see Michael McNab riding in such good form. 

“She’d won her last start on the home track, so it’s good to kick her off here again with another win, and three wins on the day is great for all the owners and the staff.”

On footing that remained Soft7 throughout the day, Typhoon Lucy ran 1400 metres in 1:25.4, last 600m in 35.5 (approx.), and strongly back to return $1.90 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She’s a very progressive mare,” Trumper said. “We knew she’d taken the right improvement from her three-year-old season to four-year-old, and while a shame we didn’t get to black type grade last season, she’s certainly on her way up now.

“Her mental strength has improved dramatically, physically bulked up, and just gone the right way since the spell.

“She’s bred and owned in conjunction by John Messara (Arrowfield Stud) and Peter Collier (Konj Ltd).  John Fryer, the racing manager at Arrowfield, has been great to deal with. They’ve let us decide what is best for her and we think she’s a mare than can get to the top level.

“It’s a great effort by the team at home to get three wins on the day. Everyone works long hours and it’s pleasing to get the results. The horses look amazing, tracks are starting to improve, and that’s when we can perform.

“She carries the Arrowfield Stud colours and it’s great to have them involved in the industry here in New Zealand, and we trained a Karaka Million 3YO winner, Pin Me Up, for Peter Collier, so it’s great to have him in the breeding and ownership of this mare, too. He’s a terrific bloke.

“Also, thanks to Graeme Styles and the track team here at Matamata, who provide us with such good facilities to race and train on.” 

Typhoon Lucy is by six-time Group One winner Dundeel (High Chaparral), a major sire and sire of sires, out of Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic) whose five individual winners have now won 12 races from 1400m – 2200m.

Typhoon Lucy carries a strong Northern Dancer cross in her bloodlines, on the sire line of Dundeel, the sire line of dam sire Stormy Atlantic (Storm Cat), and dam sire line of Stormy Lucy. 

Typhoon Lucy was strapped by Aiman Azrun.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz