First Stakes Win for Atlante Mare Mai Tai

Media Release - Sunday April 25

Progressive mare Mai Tai added another feather to her cap when she picked up her first victory at stakes level with a win in the Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac Mile (1600m) at Awapuni on Sunday.

Sent out a warm favourite ($2.60) for the race, punters never had a moment of concern courtesy of a picture-perfect ride by Sam Collett, who collected her second black type victory for the weekend after taking out the Gr.2 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie aboard Demonetization on Saturday.

Promising mare Mai Tai adds to her burgeoning race record with victory in the Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac Mile (1600m) at Awapuni Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

Collett made full use of an inside barrier to settle Mai Tai in behind a solid pace set up by eventual runner-up Quiz Kid. Collett made her move to loom into contention at the point of the home bend, angling into the centre of the track in search of better footing.

Quiz Kid fought hard in the straight, but Mai Tai always looked to have his measure, gaining the upper hand in the final 100m and moving clear for a decisive half-length victory, with Cambridge visitor Pierina flashing home late for third.

Trainer Jamie Richards watched the race from Auckland after celebrating his father Paul’s 60th birthday overnight and was delighted with the performance.

Advertisement

“She’s a promising mare who has just taken time to mature,” he said.

“She’s been getting better all season and has worked her way nicely through the grades.

“She’s not the easiest mare to train and has her moments but the team at home have done a super job with her.

“It’s also great to train another winner for the Hawkins family as we had a good deal of success for them with Our Abbadean (7 wins) and have had some lovely horses from their Wentwood Grange operation.”

Richards was also delighted with the ride by Collett, who followed instructions to the letter.

“I did say to Sam to be positive and try and ride her in the first four or five,” Richards said.

“I think she (Mai Tai) might be a little bit better going right-handed, but she copped the track well and did things right today.

“She can have a break now and come back for the spring.”

Bred and raced by the Hawkins family under their Llanhennock Trust banner, Mai Tai completed a wonderful weekend for them after Kolding, who was bred at Wentwood Grange by longtime client Warren Pegg, took out the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick while Easifar, who the Hawkins’ bred and sold, was successful at Doomben for trainer Chris Waller in the Listed Princess Stakes (1630m).

Sean Hawkins admitted the whole family was pinching themselves after such a stunning weekend of results.

“It’s been absolutely amazing and something we couldn’t dream of,” he said.

“It’s very special to get that win with Mai Tai as she was a foster foal and has a special place in the hearts of all of our staff here on the farm.

“She has a massive fan club, who text and Facebook message each other about her, as they just adore her.

“Jamie thought she was well placed at Awapuni as opposed to tackling the Easter Handicap (Gr.2, 1600m) at Ellerslie yesterday and his judgement was spot on.”

Hawkins also made special mention of Pride Of Dubai filly Easifar, purchased by bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster for well-known breeder and owner Debbie Kepitis, who has several broodmares based at the Hawkins’ property.

“We were just thrilled for Easifar as she tries so hard in her races, so she deserved to get a good win,” Hawkins said.

“Debbie has a mare or two with us and this filly is from a really well related family so with that black-type win she has another well credentialed broodmare prospect when she finishes her career on the track.

“I would be lying if I said we didn’t have a few beers to celebrate last night and I can see it happening again now that Mai Tai has won.

“It can be a very tough game so you have to celebrate your wins and we will definitely be doing that.” – NZ Racing Desk

 

 

 

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Anzac Mile LR 1550m

Awapuni Track: Slow(8) Time: 1:33.54
1
Mai Tai
- 4m Atlante (AUS) x Tropical Punch (NZ) (Faltaat (USA))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: S T Collett 53
2
0.8
Quiz Kid
- 4g Iffraaj (GB) x Guessing (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Craig & Shaun Phelan Rdr: S J Macnab 53
3
2.6
Pierina
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Quizzical (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C W Johnson 53
4
2.9
Vent
- 4m Haradasun (AUS) x Vim (NZ) (Germano (GB))
Tnr: C C Lupton Rdr: J J Fawcett 53
5
3.8
Vernanme
- 5g O'Reilly (NZ) x Bohemian Blues (NZ) (Blues Traveller (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 58
6
4.8
Deerfield
- 7g Falkirk (NZ) x The Dazzler (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: J Parkes 58.5
7
6.1
Colorado Star
- 5g Alamosa (NZ) x Elegant Emerald (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: M P Breslin Rdr: L T Hemi 53
8
6.3
Dolcetto
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Our Shiraz (NZ) (Nediym (IRE))
Tnr: Ms S Kay Rdr: R H Schofer 60
9
6.4
Cutting Up Rough
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Lutine Belle (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: R R Manning Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53
10
7.7
Motivation
- 6g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Tenacity (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: M Singh 53
11
10.2
Mauna Kea
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x City Class Rose (NZ) (City On A Hill (USA))
Tnr: P R Moseley Rdr: S R Weatherley 54.5
12
10.3
Credit Manager
- 5g Pins (AUS) x Heineken Lass (NZ) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: K Gray Rdr: L J Allpress 53.5
13
12.1
Platinum Rapper
- 5m Makfi (GB) x Wednesday Rocks (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: K Asano 53
14
17.9
Hi I'm Nikkita
- 5m He's Remarkable (NZ) x Party Tricks (AUS) (Stromberg Carlson (AUS))
Tnr: G B McBeth Rdr: M Mudhoo 53
More Reading...
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.