Sacred Star, Gaultier Pull Upsets at Trentham
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Rank outsider Sacred Star stunned 16 opponents in the JR & N Berkett Telegraph (NZ-I) Jan. 17 at Trentham when he unleashed an explosive rally to win by four lengths.
The race was one of two group I events on the card. Two races earlier, maiden Gaultier upset the field in the AIB Group Insurance Levin Classic.
Covered up but close to the pace, Sacred Star left rivals flat-footed in the stretch as he broke ranks, hit the lead 200 meters out, and dashed to an ever-widening advantage under top weight of 126 pounds. Lightly regarded Designated Drive was second, and Trepidation was third.
Third in the Thorndon Mile (NZ-I) at Trentham in January 2014, Sacred Star went on to be narrowly beaten by Viadana in the Waikato Sprint (NZ-I) before shipping to Australia and winning the Magic Millions QTC Cup (Aus-II) at Eagle Farm. The Australian-bred son of Flying Spur went winless in four subsequent starts for trainer Tony Pike, but fresh from a break following an unplaced finish in the Livamol Classic (NZ-I) at Hastings last October he struck for a breakthrough at the top level in the Telegraph.
"He smashed them—what a good job he's done," winning rider Vinnie Colgan said of Sacred Star, who covered 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in a rapid 1:07.01. "Tony had him spot on today."
Sacred Star, who is out of the O'Reilly mare Irish Nova, has a 7-1-1 record from 22 starts for Raffles Thoroughbred Racing. He was an Aus$200,000 purchase from Attunga Stud's agency at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale. Guy Mulcaster Bloodstock signed the ticket.
The Levin Classic was a cliff hanger as favored filly Sardaaj and outsider Gaultier crossed the line seemingly in unison, with Gaultier getting the nod after being gelded just two weeks ago, earning the first win of his career.
Sardaaj rated in midfield and Gaultier relaxed near the back of the nine-horse field early on in the 1,600-meter (about one-mile) contest. As the front-runners were set down for the drive, grade II-placed Sardaaj rallied smartly to lead, but Gaultier went with her and proved a mighty adversary in a stretch battle despite his long odds.
Gaultier was timed in1:36.67 under Michael Coleman. Huka Eagle, who dueled with Prince Mambo for command at the turn, checked in third a length back.
With his hard-fought victory, 3-year-old Gaultier stamped himself a contender for the New Zealand Derby (NZ-I) Feb. 28.
"We always knew he had the ability—bring on the Derby," Guy said.
A son of Waikato Stud resident Rios, Gaultier was purchased at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock ready to run sale for NZ$17,500 but was subsequently sidelined for three months by injury and did not start until last November. He is trained by Danica Guy, who campaigns him in partnership with Gayle Guy Leighton Howl. His dam is the Royal Academy mare Playacting.