Tough Wanganui Win for Undefeated 3YO December

Media Release - Sunday November 26

Unbeaten three-year-old December stamped himself as a galloper to watch over the next few months after taking the next step in his development at Wanganui on Saturday.

The strapping son of Shamexpress had won both of his trials for trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood before stepping out on debut at Tauranga earlier in the month where he raced clear in the home straight to win handsomely.December maintained his unbeaten status at Wanganui on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Starting a prohibitive $1.50 against his own age-group on Saturday, December didn’t have things all his own way in the home straight where he was hotly challenged by It’s Amelia and Valentine before drawing away to win by a length in the 1200m contest under rider Tegan Newman.

James was keen to hear Newman’s post-race report and got the answers he was looking for.

“He has a fair bit to learn and I think that showed as he seemed to get lost when he got out in the middle of the track in the run home,” James said.

Advertisement

“Tegan confirmed that as she said when he got to the front he gave a good kick but then started to lose concentration and just drift around a little.

“What was very pleasing to hear was that she felt there were still plenty of gears left and when he was challenged he really dug in and had a lot more to give.

“He is doing everything at present on raw ability and to be honest we are learning as we go just as he is.

“He has had the two trials and two raceday outings now and is unbeaten so he could be a pretty smart customer in the making.”

While James believes there is still a long way to go in terms of maturity and ringcraft for his charge, he is eyeing the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on 13 January as a potential target.

“He is so laidback at home we’re not sure just what he is capable of at this stage,” he said.

“He gives me plenty of confidence he can get to 1400m and a mile as he just does what he has to, but after that I’m not really sure.

“He holds a nomination for the Levin Classic and if he continues to develop the way he has then he could well end up running in that one.”

The Shamexpress gelding is a half-brother to the Group One performer Chambord and was a $280,000 purchase from the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. He is also closely related to former Hong Kong Group One winners The Duke and Sky Field.

James was also pleased with another of his stable runners at Pukekohe on Saturday where durable stayer Dionysus finished an unlucky third behind One Bold Cat and Aromatic in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m).  

“We thought he (Dionysus) would go a good race and I think with a little more luck early in the run home he could have pushed the first two a little harder,” James said.

“Joe Doyle rode him and said he just lost his momentum at a vital stage when he was trying to get underneath Aquacade in the run home.

“When that happened the first two were making their runs out wider and had a full head of steam so to pick himself up and charge after them was a very good effort.

“He has hit his straps now so we will look at a few of the Cup races coming up over the summer for him.”- LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Visit the profile page for Shamexpress

Shamexpress in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) 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.
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.
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.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
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.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
$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.