Wonderful Windborne

Natural two-year-old Windborne (2 f Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby, by Van Nistelrooy) made the perfect start to her career with a smart win in The Edge 2YO 880 metres on Saturday Oct. 25 at Ellerslie.

In a race her year older sister Darci's Dream could manage only sixth, Windborne always appeared a strong winning chance after receiving a perfect trail behind the leader.

Having only his second race day ride since February 2013, Cameron Lammas edged Winborne two off the rail at the 350 metres and after quickening to lead at the 200m she required only hands and heels to win by three-quarters of a length.

Paying $5.20 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB, Windborne covered the 880-metre dash in 50.2 and a sizzling 32.8 for the final 600m.

“She's a very nice filly,” said Lammas. “At the trials I didn't really ask her that much and she just went through the motions, but today when I got down and rode her she found a really good turn of foot, and she's got a long stride for a little filly. She had a bit left and was doing it easily at the post.

Having won her first trial on Aug. 26 at Te Teko, Windborne got home in hand for second in the fastest of the 650-metre heats at Waipa, with Lammas aboard, in her second and most recent trial and Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman has always known she had the makings of an early juvenile type.

“I left her on the soft side for her trial at Waipa,” said Bridgman.

“That was her final hit out. She's got a terrific brain, is a filly with a lot of promise and a lovely action. We came here to give her some practice around Ellerslie, and obviously the big fixture on the radar is the Karaka Million but only if its right for her. The win will certainly give her a chance and she may not be seen until the Eclipse Stakes here on New Year's Day and then a month into the Karaka Million.

“It's a format we've followed the last few years. The last time we had a horse good enough to do it was Warhorse [champion two-year-old], and we came here with Catalonia and he got knocked over.

“Its early days and the form not really exposed yet, but it's a good start,” said Bridgman.

Bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis, and owned by the Fortuna Windborne Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), Windborne has a nice pedigree to back up her ability. Her dam Sweet Dreams Baby, by the athletic stallion Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat), has notable British sire Diesis (Sharpen Up) and American stallion Woodman (Mr. Prospector) featuring as maternal dam sires and she includes the Champion sire Danehill Dancer (Danehill) in her family.

Windborne is shared in ownership by thirty people. Syndicate manager and Fortuna Stud boss John Galvin said: “She was very professional, won with plenty in hand and everybody is happy.

Having won $12,000 basically assures her a spot in the Karaka Million and we can afford to pick our own path from here. She will probably go to the paddock for a short break and return for the Eclipse. It was a lovely ride by Cameron Lammas and he will remember that run for a long time.

Lammas was sidelined with a broken leg after getting it caught between the hind of his mount and back of the gate when his horse reared prior to the start of a race at Wairoa, and there were immediate fears with a lack of blood flow that he could lose his right leg below the knee.

“Initially it healed well but then stopped knitting and after a year I had a bone graft,” said Lammas.

“It was then just a matter of strengthening it. I kept myself occupied using my bike and pig hunting pony to go pig hunting and got fit enough to make a comeback. The hunting gave me a good guide as to how it was healing.

“I've been back riding work at Te Akau for a couple of months, and a month beforehand riding my partner, Tracy Parnwell's, horses at Rotorua. It's like riding a bike, riding a horse, and I'm pretty sure I was riding a horse before I could walk.

“It's a buzz and I'm grateful to Jason (Bridgman) for putting me on, and the Fortuna Syndicate for allowing me to ride their horse, as they have a high rap on it. I really appreciate Te Akau giving me rides, rather than have to fight for them and it's a nice way to start off. Hopefully it will make my comeback a bit easier,” said Lammas.