Shelley Hale's previous success with the family
of Close Up was trumped at Hastings where the eight-year-old came off the
ballot to triumph in Saturday's Group I Tarzino Trophy.
The Cambridge horsewoman has enjoyed an outstanding run with the progeny of the
Exploding Prospect mare Regelle, who has produced seven winners from eight
foals to race.
"All the breed has been wonderful," an emotional Hale said. "Unfortunately, the
mare died three months ago."
Regelle's offspring also includes Close Up's brother Thumbs Up, who was a Group
Two winner and Group One performer in Hong Kong, while fellow siblings Seventh
Up won Hale a Gr.2 Easter Stakes and Sum Up was also a Group placegetter. The
trio are by Shinko King (IRE).
However, as a co-breeder, part-owner and trainer it is Saturday's victory that
takes pride of place for Hale.
"This is just incredibly special," she said. "This little horse can't run in
summer, his joints can't hack it, so we picked a path through winter into this.
It's just magic."
Runner-up in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa at his previous appearance,
Close Up is now likely to return to Hawke's Bay for the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate
(1600m) in three weeks' time.
"He's only had one other go at a mile and that was on a bog track at New
Plymouth so we'll be coming back here," Hale said.
Close Up sat in behind the leading pack before veteran rider Grant Cooksley
drove him between runners in the straight to beat a gallant Aide Memoire by
half a neck with Underthemoonlight charging late for third.
The favourite Kawi didn't help his cause by beginning tardily and he finished
gamely on the fence for fourth while Gingernuts got home powerfully from the
back to be next in. – NZ Racing Desk.