Stallions Clean Up Feature Sprints

WS sires were represented by a host of brilliant sprint winners in New Zealand on Saturday afternoon.

At Ellerslie it was the quality Savabeel mare Lady Kipling who triumphed, soon after O’Reilly’s headstrong son Eight Schillings was a gallant winner at New Plymouth and No Excuse Needed’s 6YO son Straitothepoolroom put the nose down when it counted most for success over 1360m at Southland.

Lady Kipling, who was resuming after a brief let-up, showed her class with a dominant victory for Cambridge trainer Murray Baker. It was the four-year-old’s seventh victory and her third from her last four appearances with success in the Gr 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa two runs back a career highlight.

She then finished fourth in the Gr 1 Zabeel Classic behind Shez Sinsational and Veyron who have both subsequently won at the top level. Lady Kipling sat at the back of the field today and responded well when given a couple of reminders on the turn by James McDonald. “She took a little while to get going out of the gates, but she hit the line strongly,” he said. “I think she’s pretty good.”

Eight Schillings, a strong fourth in the Gr 1 Telegraph Handicap at Trentham, showed his fighting ability and will to win at the Taranaki meeting. He was tardy away before spearing to the front and was clearly headed in the straight. However, the gelding wasn’t to be denied and rallied strongly to win by half a length. “He was a little bit slow away and he’s got a mind of his own,” rider Sam Spratt said. “He’s tough though and found the line really well.”