Deserved win for Ocean Park mare
Babiche executed what she had been threatening to do for a while at Pukekohe when she opened her winning account.
The daughter of Ocean Park had finished in the money in four of her previous six outings before breaking through.
Trained by Catherine Cameron, the four-year-old was successful over 1600 metres in the hands of Andrew Calder.
Babiche is the first foal of the O’Reilly mare O’Gio, who was unraced.
The dam is a daughter of the former top race mare Giovanna, the champion New Zealand stayer of 2001-02.
She won four times at Group One level and was a multiple placegetter at the elite level.
Giovanna is a grand-daughter of the Gr.1 Queensland Derby winner Tristana.
The Corner with Garry Chittick
Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.
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Smart Love too smart this start
Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.
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