Ashrun Makes Triumphant Return in Pakenham Cup

Mark Smith - Friday March 15

Ashrun (FR) led home a 1-2 for Australian Bloodstock when breaking a drought dating back to the 2020 Hotham Handicap. He proved the superior stayer in Friday night’s $300,000 Listed Sportsbet Pakenham Cup (2500m).

A top-class stayer (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Ridden by  Mark Zahra for Ciaron Maher, the 8-year-old son of Authorized travelled sweetly midfield on the fence as the AJC Australian Derby winner Major Beel led the field through brutal fractions. Switched off the fence before turning for home, Ashrun collared the tiring Major Beel at the 200m before safely holding the challenge of the 6-year-old Gleneagales gelding Glentaneous by one and three-quarter lengths with the 7-year-old Fiorente gelding Don't Doubt Dory two lengths back in third.

When trained by Andreas Wohler,  Ashrun won the 2020 Group III Hotham Handicap before finishing midfield in the Melbourne Cup, which Twilight Payment (IRE) won.

He came out of the race with a severe tendon injury, and when he appeared 149 weeks later, he was in the stable of Ciaron Maher.

The son of Epsom Derby hero Authorized showed he was back to near his best with a gallant fourth in last year's Melbourne Cup.

The Roy Higgins Stakes is likely the immediate target, but the Pakenham Cup hero also holds an entry for the Group 1 Sydney Cup at Randwick.

With his third stakes victory, Ashrun advances his record to five wins, three seconds, and a third with earnings of $1,116,319.

A half-brother to the German Group II winner Ashiana (Mastercraftsman), Ashrun (FR) won the Group III Deauville Prix de Reux and was Group 1 placed in Europe. He arrived in Australia off a second in the Group II Prix Kergorlay.  

He is one of four winners from eight to race out of the Group III winning Areion mare Ashantee.

A long time between drinks (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

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Race Result - Sportsbet Pakenham Cup LR 2500m

Pakenham Track: Good(4) Time: 2:37.06
1
Ashrun
- 8g Authorized (IRE) x Ashantee (GER) (Areion (GER))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: M Zahra 58
2
1.8
Glentaneous
- 6g Gleneagles (IRE) x Spontaneous (IRE) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Damian Lane 54
3
3.8
Don't Doubt Dory
- 7g Fiorente (IRE) x Doubt No More (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: J R Welsh Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
Fiorente
4
4
Mystery Island
- 7g Victoire Pisa (JPN) x Mystique (GER) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: Shane Jackson Rdr: H Coffey 54
5
4.2
Glitter 'N' Gold
- 5m Choisir (AUS) x Gold Lottey (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Tom Madden 54
6
7.7
Dunkel
- 4g Dundeel (NZ) x Kudamm (AUS) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 60
7
7.8
Major Beel
- 4g Savabeel (AUS) x Gram (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
8
8.2
Noble Knight
- 6g Ghibellines (AUS) x Flight Arrival (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: Sandra Cunningham Rdr: M J Dee 54
9
11.4
Kirkeby
- 6g Kermadec (NZ) x Oriental Lady (GER) (Doyen (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 54
10
15.4
Herman Hesse
- 7g Frankel (GB) x Dream Peace (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 54
11
15.7
Loft
- 6g Adlerflug (GER) x Labrice (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Melham 58.5
12
50.7
Think 'N' Fly
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Gliding (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D M Noonan Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
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