Pins’ son on the way to the top

10 March 2011

Shantaine Defies Weighty Problem

The WS-bred and sold Shantaine turned in an outstanding performance under a hefty weight to further her impressive career record with a brave victory at Ellerslie yesterday. The well-related daughter of Pins has four wins and five placings from her 11 appearances and not surprisingly is rated by Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett the equal of any horse in the stable.

Saddled with 59kg over the 2200 metres, Shantaine was settled midfield on the fence by Leith Innes before he angled off the rail with 600 metres to run. The four-year-old strode to the leaders in the straight and fought doggedly to gain a narrow decision. “We had to sprint a couple of times and it was a very good effort with the weight,” Innes said.

Purchased by Collett for stable clients Bruce and Gerald Shand from WS’s 2008 Premier Sale draft for $280,000, she is out of the winning Centaine mare Centelise from the Gr 1 family of the VRC Derby and Caulfield Guineas winner and successful sire Grosvenor.

Pure Alpha delivers again as Ardrossan continues to rise

Ardrossan gelding Pure Alpha led throughout to win by 1.29 lengths at Eagle Farm for owner Ozzie Kheir, taking his earnings past $300,000. The result caps a stellar run for sire Ardrossan, whose yearlings fetched up to $450,000 this year on strong Hong Kong form.

28 August 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.