1st foal out of Elle Mac to appear on the Rangiora catwalk

Welcome into our Speed in the Breed article. A look into the successful families represented at the trials and workouts.

If you look into the sales catalogue or those that find fame out on the track in the features races you’re likely to find that many of the champions of today come from great families of the past. Here we touch on that habit of success- how the great families continue to leave the very best.

A look at the Rangiora trials and workouts on the 17^th of April sees some prominent bloodlines out on the track – among the most notable would be…

Kairaki Spur (What The Hill – Madam Spur) Appearing out of the Robert and Jenna Dunn stables for the first time is this son of What The Hill. The trotting success of this family is hard to ignore with dam Madam Spur winning 5 herself from some 25 raceday appearances – it’s the grandam that’s easily recognisable to harness fans though, Merinai, by Pegaus Spur, held a number of NZ records in a career that saw 19 wins achieved from just the 27 starts, a fantastic record that included wins in the Dominion Trotting Handicap of 1997 when beating out Buster Hanover, and the  Gr1 Rowe Cup of 1998 when besting a class field that included Pride Of Petite, Eastburn Grant , and Special Force.

As a mother Merinai also left Miss Pegasus (9 wins) and Wingonhai (7 wins). A magnificent history in trotting is set to take another stride with Kairaki Spur.

Kushite Warrior (Betting Line – Southern Rain) This Malcolm Shinn trained filly is set to take her place in the third event of the card and could be one to follow in times to come. Dam Southern Rain managed to clear maidens while grandam Raindowne was well known for her grass track performances in particular, winning races at Geraldine, Waikouaiti, and Methven during her racing career.

As a broodmare Raindowne has proven herself a success, leaving notable performers like Six Diamonds (6 wins) and Tom Martin (9 wins).  A full brother to Kushite Warrior has had two starts for the Grant Payne stable.

Kushite Warrior in behind the talented Forever Dream at recent trials 

Gigi Hadid (Art Major – Elle Mac) Another of the royally bred types to go around at Rangiora tomorrow – and with the supermodel looks to boot no doubt! The Mark and Nathan Purdon trained 3yr-old filly is the first foal out of the G1 winning mare Elle Mac (Bettor’s Delight), a class act who captured the Nevele R Fillies Series Final of 2018 and the 4YO Diamond of 2019 when striding out to win over Divinia Bellezza.

It’s a great looking damline further back too with Elle Mac being a 1/2 sister to the impressive Miss Streisand (A Rocknroll Dance) and Twice As Good leaving a plethora of quality types. One of the deepest and most prolific families gets another generation to the track tomorrow at Rangiora.

Elle Mac claims a major Jewels feature at Addington 

Phoebe Conqueror (Imperial Count – Duchess Of Phoebe) A 2yr-old trotting colt, this John Howe runner will look to continue on a charmed run for dam Duchess Of Phoebe – a broodmare already proven with her first foal being the 9-time winner in Phoebe Imperial (Imperial Count) and her second being the 15-time winner in Phoebe Onyx (Wishing Stone)

The ‘Phoebe’ name has a history of performance with Phoebe Gladiator (7 wins) Phoebe Sunset (12 wins) and Phoebe Gem (3 wins) all being out of the grandam in Ashley Sunset – if you’re wanting to find a trotting winner out on the track you could do worse than following this family.

Phoebe Conqueror in action last week

by Harnesslink Media