Shuka Digs Down for Captain Cook Repeat
Description:
Shuka bested five other group I winners to get a repeat win in the Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (NZ-I) Dec. 6 at Trentham.
The 6-year-old Bachelor Duke gelding won last year's edition by a head and exerted a mighty effort to score by a desperate neck in this year's renewal. Puccini started as the favorite, but in a near blanket finish could only dead-heat for second with Nashville.
Julinsky Prince was fourth, 1 3/4 lengths back, and I Do checked in fifth, followed by Weregoingtogetcha, Pure Champion, and Survived to complete the order of finish in the eight-horse field.
Pure Champion was first from the gate and led the way throughout much of the 1,600-meter (about one-mile) contest, with I Do, Julinsky Prince, and Puccini well on the pace.
I Do spurted past Pure Champion to lead a quarter mile out but was immediately swamped. Shuka and Nashville asserted themselves and battled stride for stride until leading rider Danielle Johnson called on Shuka for his best and he willingly responded to get the win.
The final time was 1:37.53 on turf rated as dead.
Trained by Peter and Dawn Williams for owners Eric and Wendy Parr's Parr Bloodstock, Shuka has an 8-10-2 from 36 career starts. He was bred in New Zealand by Karreman Bloodstock from the Cape Cross mare Alabama Rose.