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Waikato Stud Bred Galloper Claims Doomben Cup
(May 24 2010)
The Waikato Stud-bred gelding Metal Bender
(NZ) (Danasinga) claimed his third victory
at Gr.1 level on Saturday with a brilliant win in the
Gr.1 BTC Doomben Cup (2020m) at Doomben.
With plenty to do on the turn for home, Metal
Bender (NZ) called on all of his staying reserves,
and with dogged determination overhauled Gold
Water in the final bounds to win by a head.
Triple Honour (NZ) (Honours List) was
third a short half-head away.
Trained by Chris Waller, Metal Bender (NZ)
was having just his fourth start back from a lengthy
spell, which was forced upon him following a stifle
bone injury sustained in the autumn of 2009.
"This horse has done an incredible job," said
an elated Waller, who had earlier saddled two black-type
winners at Doomben.
"It’s been a fantastic day and I am just
very grateful to have such wonderful horses to train.”
Waller added that Metal Bender (NZ)
would now head to the spelling paddock, and would return
in the Spring, with the Gr.1 Cox Plate in Melbourne
as a potential target race.
Metal Bender’s (NZ) race record
now stands at seven wins and two placings from 13 starts.
As a three-year-old, Metal Bender (NZ)
won the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas at just his sixth raceday
outing, and went on to complete a magical Gr.1 double
in the Rosehill Guineas two weeks later, whilst under
the guidance of legendary trainer Jack Denham. He entered
the Rosehill stable of Waller earlier this year.
With a view to the winner’s breeding, Metal
Bender (NZ) is by the now 3 time Gr.1 producer
and former Waikato Stud stallion Danasinga
and is out of the three time winning racemare, Jacqwin
(NZ) (Bluebird).
Off the track, Jacqwin (NZ) has produced
four winners from as many to race and is a half-sister
to Cambridge Stud’s proven Gr.1 sire Keeper
(NZ) (Danehill) - a stallion who himself counted
Gr.1 success in Australia after taking out the 2001
SAJC Goodwood Hcp (1200m).
Further back in the pedigree, Metal Bender (NZ)
also counts a familial connection to Te Runga Stud’s
dual Gr.1 winning sire, Castledale
(Peintre Calibre).
Since producing Metal Bender (NZ),
Jacqwin (NZ) has produced two colts
by Savabeel, with the oldest of these
being a 3YO named Moment to Savour (NZ).
Jacqwin is in foal to O’Reilly.
Courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing
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