Fourth in The Everest and second in the Classique Legend, Lost And Running was the class act in Saturday’s $1million The Hunter at Newcastle, and it showed.
Lost and Running wins the $1million Hunter - image Steve Hart
Sitting just off the speed, the John O’Shea-trained gelding was set down to an all-out drive at the 300m by Hugh Bowman. The Kris Lees-trained mare Wandabaa (Wandjina), fleetingly looked like she may break her 66 week run of outs. However, Lost And Running kept up a strong gallop to defeat Wandabaa by a length and a quarter with Australian Bloodstock’s the highly-touted import Top Ranked (IRE) (Dark Angel) a half-length further back in third.
A 5yo son of Per Incanto (USA), Lost And Running advanced his record to seven wins and two seconds from twelve starts with earnings of $2,219,100.
“You’d have to say, his first-up run didn’t go to plan, then it was a patch up towards The Everest, but he hasn’t disappointed once,” Bowman said.
“He has continued to raise the bar, and we were ultra-confident here today. The draw didn’t worry me too much, especially with that big headwind.
“He is a horse that likes room and you would have seen once I turned for home, he looked under pressure, but once he balanced up and changed legs, he extended away and won with the authority that we expected him too.
“He is a very exciting horse for next year.
“He was the only horse out of The Everest and that form has stood up in Melbourne and Sydney.
“We obviously had a healthy respect for the English horse (Top Ranked) but to come over here and take on a seasoned campaigner like Lost And Running was a big ask, but he has obviously run well too.
“The Hunter has certainly stamped itself as a race for future stars.”
Lost and Running returns a winner!
Bred in New Zealand by bred by JML Bloodstock, Lost And Running was consigned by Blandford Lodge to the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where John O'Shea purchased him for $40,000.
Lost And Running’s dam Dreamlife (Danroad) failed to flatter in three career starts. However, she is a sister to the Group III winner Kiss Me Ketut and a half-sister to Listed stakes-winners Fast Love (Fastnet Rock) and A Chance To Dream (Volksraad).
Danroad’s stocks as a broodmare sire have never been higher. The son of Danehill is the sire of the dam of the $14million earner, Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant.
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock purchased a full-brother to Lost And Running for $210,000 at Karaka last year.
After foaling a Per Incanto (USA) filly last spring, Dreamlife was covered by Savabeel.
Little Avondale Stud’s Street Cry (IRE) stallion Per Incanto (USA) stands this season at a fee of $25,000.
