Kinagat
Trish Dunell
The potent southern force of trainer Michael Pitman and son Matthew alongside jockey Chris Johnson were to the fore at northern headquarters on Saturday when they combined to snatch Ellerslie's rating 85 1200 metre contest with former Australian galloper Kinagat.
Bought from the Sydney stable of James Cummings by Pitman senior for longtime stable clients Ray and Jill Coupland, Kinagat was having just his second New Zealand run after finishing third at Wingatui in his stable debut. The winner of two of his ten Australian starts showed he has the potential to feature prominently in the coming months as he cruised clear of his nine rivals in a tidy 1.11.01 for the 1200 metre journey on the Dead 5 rated surface.
Pitman acknowledged the stable was confident of success prior to the race after assessing the gelding's Australian performances.
"To be honest it wasn't unexpected as he had great form in Australia," he conceded.
"I said to Chris that he had won two races carrying 60 kilograms and would love the drop back and lighter weight on his back.
"He had gone huge at Wingatui as he'd had no trials and hit the front before blowing out in the last 50 metres so I said to Ray we would tackle the masterplan and head to Ellerslie."
Pitman was delighted for the Street Cry gelding's owners who have supported his stable for many years with a host of top-line gallopers including multiple stakes winner Coup Align.
"It's great for Ray and Jill as they've supported me for years," he said.
"They will be sitting at home watching and we've got the chocolates for them. It's just great that a southern combination of jockey, trainers and owners can come here and get a win like this."
Later in the day the Pitman trained Gr. 1 BMW New Zealand Derby contender Son Of Maher battled on solidly to finish midfield in the Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas in his last run before the three-year-old classic at Ellerslie in a fortnight.- NZ Racing Desk
Bought from the Sydney stable of James Cummings by Pitman senior for longtime stable clients Ray and Jill Coupland, Kinagat was having just his second New Zealand run after finishing third at Wingatui in his stable debut. The winner of two of his ten Australian starts showed he has the potential to feature prominently in the coming months as he cruised clear of his nine rivals in a tidy 1.11.01 for the 1200 metre journey on the Dead 5 rated surface.
Pitman acknowledged the stable was confident of success prior to the race after assessing the gelding's Australian performances.
"To be honest it wasn't unexpected as he had great form in Australia," he conceded.
"I said to Chris that he had won two races carrying 60 kilograms and would love the drop back and lighter weight on his back.
"He had gone huge at Wingatui as he'd had no trials and hit the front before blowing out in the last 50 metres so I said to Ray we would tackle the masterplan and head to Ellerslie."
Pitman was delighted for the Street Cry gelding's owners who have supported his stable for many years with a host of top-line gallopers including multiple stakes winner Coup Align.
"It's great for Ray and Jill as they've supported me for years," he said.
"They will be sitting at home watching and we've got the chocolates for them. It's just great that a southern combination of jockey, trainers and owners can come here and get a win like this."
Later in the day the Pitman trained Gr. 1 BMW New Zealand Derby contender Son Of Maher battled on solidly to finish midfield in the Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas in his last run before the three-year-old classic at Ellerslie in a fortnight.- NZ Racing Desk