All Fun At Matamata

Improving three-year-old Allsortsafun opened his winning account at Matamata today with a tidy performance to score over 1400 metres. The WS-bred and sold son of Pins also drew further attention to his younger brother’s Karaka prospects as he will be offered by the Chittick family’s operation during the Select Sale in February.

A $20,000 purchase by trainer Stephen Autridge from the farm’s 2009 National Yearling Sale consignment, the lightly-tried Allsortsafun had finished runner-up at Te Aroha last month and next time out ran a creditable sixth after being forced to cover extra ground. Rider Matthew Cameron was able to secure a much more economical run today from an inside gate. “He jumped really well and I just had to give him a slap before the turn to get rolling – he’s definitely got some ability,” he said.

Allsortsafun is out of the winning Centaine mare Liquorice, who is a half-sister to the multiple winner and Group performer Black Muscat (O’Reilly). The feature name in the pedigree is Wong, who won 11 times from 1100-1900 metres, including the Gr 1 Chipping Norton and George Ryder Stakes, the Gr 3 Tramway Handicap and posted a further 10 placings at stakes level.

Meanwhile, Pins’ associate sire Savabeel continued his fine form when his daughter Savannah Rush showed she had a bright middle distance future with a runaway victory in the opening event on the Matamata card. Trainer Aaron Tata stepped her out for the first time over 2000 metres and the filly responded by coasting home to her maiden win by two and three-quarter lengths.