PINMEDOWN WINS EIGHT CARAT

The $100,000 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) is one of the most prestigious races in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series and Pinmedown (3 f Pins – Alleyway, by Oregon) etched her name into the record book with a huge win on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

Making a massive leap in class, having stylishly won her Maiden over 1400 metres on 12 December at Hastings, Pinmedown now occupies second equal on the Filly of the Year Series ladder.

Selected as a yearling by Paul Moroney and purchased for $28,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, from the draft of Ardsley Stud, Pinmedown is owned by Savvy Racing Blues Syndicate (Mgr: Keith McDonald), Lois & Mike Wilson, Noel Gurney, Richard Sims, Adrian Mathieson, Rob Alderson, Ken & Bev Cherry, and Ballymore New Zealand.

“She’s always been a nice filly and Pam (Gerard) has done a great job with her,” said co-trainer Mike Moroney, home for Christmas from the Ballymore Stables in Melbourne.

“We were going through programmes a couple of weeks ago and Pam was quite happy to throw her in the deep end and it’s worked out the right way.”

Steadied off the pace and last the 1000 metres, Pinmedown stood the leader 10 lengths at the 600m, angled widest at the 400m by rider Jake Bayliss and mowed her rivals down to win narrowly (long neck) but well.

On footing that endured 139mls of rain in the past 7 days including 23mls in the last 24 hours, to rate Heavy10, Pinmedown exuded a great turn of foot widest on the track. She ran the 1600 metres in 1:39.9 and paid handsomely: $33.40 & $6.60 on the NZ TAB.

“I had a look at the favourite (Media Sensation) turning in and she was under a bit of a ride and our horse was still going easy, so I thought she was some chance,” said Moroney, who suggested that Pinmedown would follow an Oaks campaign “all going well”.

“She’s a three-quarter sister to Ambitious Dragon and now a very, very valuable filly. She can be a little fragile, got a bit on her toes before the race, but she’s learning and got any amount of ability by the looks.”

Ambitious Dragon (Pins) won 13 races, including six Group One, the equivalent of NZ$10.9 million in prize money and twice named Hong Kong Horse of the Year. While sire, Pins (Snippets), was twice crowned Champion Sire in Hong Kong, largely due to the feats of Ambitious Dragon.

The dam side of the family has left some very talented and classy performers. Obviously Ambitious Dragon, but also stakes winning mares Roxon (Postponed), Delightful (Omnicorp), and the very good producer Sky Mist (Sky Chase).

Back from suspension, the win by Jake Bayliss aboard Pinmedown was made special, given his return from suspension and presence of his mother, Kellie Bayliss, visiting from Melbourne.

“I’ve been on the sidelines for three weeks through suspension. I’m hungrier than ever and what a good way to kick off,” Bayliss said.

“She’s a casual filly once you get her relaxed. During the run she just lobbed and dropped the bridle, bowled along and never pulled once. I was happy to bide my time, get her to the better part of the track, let her balance up, get through her gears and she hit her straps late. She got there at the right time.

“If she can learn to relax more before the race then she’s definitely on the Oaks path.

“My mum came over for Christmas and New Year’s, and I said to her I’ve got a chance today but she is jumping up in company and to have my Mum here to watch me ride a Group Two winner is the best Christmas present ever.”

“I’ve timed it well and I’m a bit emotional,” said Kellie Bayliss, through the tears. I follow every single one of Jake’s and (brother) Regan’s rides, so it was good. It’s awesome and I’m really, really happy for him. She (Pinmedown) flew home, and it’s fantastic that I can be here for him.”

At the presentation, Mike Moroney said: “Thank you to the support and sponsorship of Cambridge Stud. They’ve bought a breath of fresh air to the breeding industry. I rang Brendan (Lindsay) when he brought Almanzor out from France, and I think he’s a champion horse. It’s great to see.

“Thank you to our group of owners. Paul (Moroney) bought this filly for $28,000 and Pam and I owned most of her for quite a long time and we slowly found people to come in on the way through and it’s great to be vindicated that she’s a very valuable filly. Bred by Jim Wallace and he’s a great breeder as well.

“I’d like to thank all my staff, because I just come in every now and again to New Zealand. I watched her (Pinmedown) work a couple of days ago and Pam has done a great job with her. And well done to Jake too. He’s been suspended and may not be at his fittest, but you watch that ride and if he’s not at his fittest then just wait until he is.

“And thanks to the Auckland Racing Club. We thought she was a chance of handling it and the track has stood up very well with all the rain it’s had.”

Pinmedown was strapped by Richie Fallon.