Chenille Lands Auckland Cup

Bet down to $2.90 favouritism, Chenille (NZ) duly saluted in the NZ$500,000 G1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup at Ellerslie Thursday evening. Trainer Tony Pike originally considered scratching the mare from the 3200-metre race, but was able to forego that decision, once Saturday's entire card was washed out and rescheduled for Thursday.

“I'm just glad we got a second chance and the track came back,” a relieved Pike, who is part of the ownership group with his father Wayne, who is ill and his mother Vicki, commented to www.nzracing.co.nz. “It's a huge buzz for my parents. Leith [Innes] rode her perfectly and he got her to drop her head down the back and she was bolting on the corner. She probably got to the front too soon, but she's a very good staying mare.”

One off the fence in midpack for the first circuit, Chenille was given a quite ride by Leith Innes, as Nymph Monte (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) showed the way until the final bend. She was set loose at the 900-metre mark and motored past rivals on the turn with a three deep rush. The Tony Pike trainee hit the head of affairs inside the 400 metres, but had a tussle on her hands, grinding past a stubborn Megablast (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) after a stiff stretch battle to win by three-quarters of a length. The rallying duo of El Pistola (NZ) (El Hermano {NZ}) was a neck to the good of Jacksstar (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), who relegated Megablast back to fourth, a head behind.

Innes, who landed his 28th Group 1 win of his career said, “I had so much faith in this mare, she's a class horse.”

“She's entered in the [3200m G1] Sydney Cup [at The Championships Apr. 8], but whether we head that way or not, we'll wait and see,” concluded Pike.

A listed winner last preparation, Chenille scored third up in a 1600-metre handicap locally Oct. 22, and returned to the winner's circle four starts later upped to 2200 metres Jan. 29. Seventh after a wide trip in the 2400m G2 Avondale Cup here Feb. 18, Chenille bounced back to take another handicap here Mar. 4.

Pedigree Notes…

Chenille became multiple English highweight Pentire (GB)'s 15th Group 1 winner. Already a half-sister to New Zealand MGSW and MG1SP Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), the 5-year-old is a half-sister to sophomore filly Cashmere (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), juvenile filly Let's Get Loud (NZ) (Pour Moi {Ire}) and a weanling colt by Makfi (GB). Charmed, out of New Zealand Group 3 winner and G1 New Zealand S. bridesmaid Seraphic (NZ) (Imposing {Aus}), was covered by Savabeel (Aus) last fall.

Thursday, Ellerslie, New Zealand
AUCKLAND CUP-G1, NZ$482,000, ARC, 3-16, Open Set Weight, 3200mT, 3:22.90, Dead.
1–&@CHENILLE, 53.5, m, 5, by Pentire (GB)
1st Dam: Charmed, by O'Reilly
2nd Dam: Seraphic, by Imposing (AUS)
3rd Dam: Torquay, by Wharf (USA)
(NZ$55,000 Ylg 2013 NZB National Yearling Sale) O-V T W
Breeding Company Ltd, G & Mrs J Capes; B-A W, Mrs V A & W
K Pike, Waikato, NZ; T-A W Pike; J-L G Innes; NZ$300,000.
Lifetime Record: 27-9-6-2, NZ$548,375. Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–El Pistola, 53.0, m, 6, El Hermano–Classic Shot, by Zabeel.
O-Hoofit Bros Tokoroa Syndicate; B-Mrs F I & F T Drummond,
Waikato, NZ; T-N Hanley & K Whiting; J-T D Thornton;
NZ$87,500.
3–Jacksstar, 56.0, g, 5, Zed–Star Guest, by Pentire (GB). O-Mrs
C A & P M Algie, Mrs C & R Wilkie; B-Mrs C A & P M Algie,
Central, NZ; T-G R Vile; J-C E Lammas; NZ$42,500.
Margins: 0.8 len, 1.1 len, 1.3 len. Odds: 2.90, 24.50, 5.50.
Also Ran: Megablast, Five to Midnight, Fanatic, Gentil Tonton (IRE), Pentathlon, Perfect Start, Storming the Tower, Snow Secret, Mister Impatience (GB) , Marciano, King Kamada, Smedley, Nymph Monte.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.