Classic Waikato Stud Connection (February 22 2010)

The speedy juvenile Icepin (NZ) fittingly advanced the case for the Pins/O’Reilly cross in the Gr.3 Waikato Stud 2YO Classic (1200m) in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Dominating proceedings from the jump, the Mark Walker-trained Pins 2YO declared catch me if you can at the top of the straight, and with plenty in reserve, staved off the best of her challengers in Charma (NZ) (Volksraad) to score by a ½ length margin at the line.

All told, the Herbie Dyke-owned gelding has claimed two wins from 5 starts and was well distinguished at her last attempt, when second to Sister Havana (NZ) in the Karaka Million.

Bred by Garry Chittick - who was on hand to see his triple Gr.1 winner Daffodil’s successful return earlier in the day, Icepin (NZ) is the third stakes winner to result from the Waikato Stud Pins / O’Reilly cross.

With the inclusion of Caulfield Gr.3 winner Tootsie (NZ) later in the day, the 6 time Gr.1 producer Pins has to date covered daughters of his Waikato Stud associate O’Reilly for a result of 72.7 % winners-to-runners and the 3 stakes winners (Raid, Tootsie, Icepin).

Ignoring his SG-1 winner Arenti (NZ) and his HK-1 winner Fellowship (NZ), O’Reilly has to date nudged out Pins’ Gr.1 record with a tally of 7 individual Gr.1 winners.

In his role as damsire, as is the case here, O’Reilly has been best represented by the two Gr.1 winners Daffodil and The Pooka and he could well add a third here if Icepin proves equally as dominant in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes on April 3.

Courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing