WS sire Pins enjoyed an outstanding weekend with a winning
hat-trick at the Auckland meeting, a double in Hong
Kong and the Chittick colours were also narrowly denied
an appropriate victory in the Waikato Stud Handicap
at the Marton fixture.
Pins' Ellerslie treble was headed by the WS-bred and
sold Icepins who confirmed his spot in the Karaka Million
on January 31 with a brave winning effort. The Mark
Walker-trained chestnut worked hard to dispute the pace
from a wide draw and held a strong gallop in the straight
to score by a head.
The youngster is owned by Herbie Dyke who also races
WS graduate and Karaka Million placegetter Raid. Icepins
is out of the winning O'Reilly mare Ice Maiden, who
enjoyed further success later in the day when Frozone
(Reset) scored a decisive victory at Eagle Farm. She
is from the family of current WS resident and Gr 2 Ascot
Vale Stakes winner Scaredee Cat.
Pins' versatility as a stallion was further emphasised
by his other two Ellerslie winners - Castles Burning
was too slick for his open rivals over 1100 metres while
Senor Zorro hit the line strongly to win over 2100 metres.
At Awapuni a game Miss Caruso was narrowly downed by
Gr 1 performer Irish Opera in the WS-sponsored open
class sprint while the talented Ashburn Lane was runner-up
in the closing event.
In Hong Kong, Pins' four-year-old son Ejimeric Te Specso
won on debut at Sha Tin where Happy Seven won his second
race. The latter was a three-time winner in New Zealand
as Lightning McQueen before his sale to HK interests.
