Shandream back to winning form

28 April 2014

Stakes winning mare Shandream posted an overdue win over 1600 metres when she triumphed in the open handicap at Te Rapa on Saturday. The WS graduate was making only her fourth appearance over a distance she had previously shone over.

“She’s a mare who won over a mile early in her career and I’ve always wanted to get her back to the trip,” co-trainer Richard Collett said. “She doesn’t stop and she’s tough.”

The winner of eight races, including the Listed Counties Bowl on her home Pukekohe track, she sat outside the pace and fought off all challengers in the straight. “We worked a bit early to get across and then she relaxed,” rider Vinnie Colgan said. “When I pushed the button she put her down and tried hard.”

A daughter of Pins, the six-year-old Shandream was bought by Collett for $280,000 out of WS’s 2009 Premier Sale draft. The chestnut is a half-sister to five winners, including the stakes performer Doubly Sure (O’Reilly).

The Corner with Garry Chittick

The two of you will be aware of my ongoing concern as to the future of our sport. You could argue I have a vested interest; well, I did have, but my interest now is to give the future generations the opportunity my generation had. Now I can tell you, hand on heart, there were many financial thin times. 1975 was my fledgling start with five mares on 130 acres that occasionally flooded with the well-bred, non-race-winning Super Gray.

12 August 2026

Classy Debut Victory For Major Beel’s Brother Savagram

From a pedigree known all too well by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, 3yo Savabeel colt Savagram (NZ) kicked off his race career in the best possible way, highlighting himself as a potential black-type performer.