Waikato Duo to Contest Manawatu Classic

29 March 2012

NZTM Release: Waikato Stud has a strong hand in the Group Three Higgins Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni on Saturday. The Chittick family will be represented by two daughters of their resident sire Pins who they not only bred, but race in Spiltsecond (NZ) and Glad (NZ).

Both fillies are well liked in the early betting with Splitsecond (NZ) second favourite at NZ$5. The Roger James-trained galloper put together two nice placings at Ellerslie recently including a third in the Listed Sunline Vase (2100m) two starts ago before being hampered early in the New Zealand Oaks last start. The three-year-old has drawn well in barrier two and will be partnered by Jason Waddell.

Unfortunately the luck of the drawn did not extent to Glad (NZ) who will jump from barrier 12 with regular rider Matthew Cameron on board. The Jason Bridgman-trained filly put together two impressive wins before producing a close up fourth behind Spilsecond in the Sunline Vase.

The stud will also be represented by Sloshed (NZ) a daughter of resident sire No Excuse Needed who was bred by Gary Chittick. Purchased by Hawke’s Bay-based trainer John Bary, Sloshed (NZ) has registered a win and two placings from five starts this season.

Oaks Day glory for Waikato Stud-bred Sulek

Waikato Stud enjoyed a special moment on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, when the New Zealand-bred gelding Sulek – by Super Seth out the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co, saluted on one of the biggest days of the racing calendar and in front of an international crowd. Bred by the farm in partnership with the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Sulek took out the A$500,000 Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) for the third and most lucrative win of his career.

5 November 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

And so, another Melbourne Cup has been run. Regretfully, Mary and I were not there. I have no idea how many we attended up until COVID, and I miss the Cup week. Victoria prides itself as the sporting capital of Australia; it may be, they certainly know how to create an event.