Windsor Park Celebrate Hawkesbury Gold Cup Win

Media Release - Sunday April 29

Former New Zealand galloper Kingsguard delivered on his undoubted promise for his patient connections when he raced away with the Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

KingsguardCo-bred and raced by Windsor Park Stud, the five-year-old Rip Van Winkle gelding had looked a horse with plenty of potential during his early career in New Zealand. Although unable to secure a victory in six starts here he had been close-up behind some talented rivals including a runner-up finish to Gr.1 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Xtravagant during the 2015 Ellerslie Christmas Carnival.

Transferred to the powerful Hawkes family stable in Sydney, Kingsguard broke his maiden status at Canterbury in November 2016 and had registered a further three victories before Saturday's first in stakes company.

"He had shown us plenty in his early days here in New Zealand," said Windsor Park Stud Manager Rodney Schick.

"He pushed Xtravagant hard at Ellerslie and then ran third behind Mackintosh and Raghu at his next start.

"He probably just wasn't strong enough at that stage to round things off but once he got to Sydney he really started to develop and has gone from strength to strength."

Schick admitted there was plenty of confidence in the Hawkes camp that the horse could turn an indifferent form line around in Saturday's contest.

"On paper his form was pretty scratchy, but he hadn't had a lot of luck in his last few runs," he said.

"The stable had set him for this race and once he drew a good barrier they were confident of a good performance.

"He got a lovely run in transit and proved too good for them in the run home. It was a great reward for all the people involved with him as they are a good bunch and deserved to have him win a good race like that."

Schick is unsure of where the horse would be aimed next but didn't discount a trip north to the Queensland Winter Carnival.

"We haven't really thought about where to go next but I'm sure the Hawkes team will come up with a plan in the next few days," he said.

"There is plenty of good money around in his home state but there are also some races that look like they would suit up in Brisbane so a trip to their Winter Carnival is definitely an option that will be considered."

The victory capped a memorable day for Kingsguard's sire Rip Van Winkle who had earlier enjoyed a winning double in New Zealand with Princess El Jay successful at Te Rapa and Lubaya saluting at Hastings. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 Pedigree Watch - Plus Up and Comers
The spring carnival might be over, but the G1 action is now in Perth and a Queenslander took the top prize and we are also looking at a few other stakes-winners that hold the promise of more to come.
Cosmic Vega Breaks Through in Kilmore Cup
A rapidly deteriorating track at Kilmore proved the winning formula for the Irish import Cosmic Vega (IRE) and visiting English rider Saffie Osborne to open their Australian accounts in Sunday’s $200,000 Listed Bet365 Kilmore Cup (1600m).
Winx Foals a Snitzel Colt
The owners of Winx have announced the champion mare has foaled a healthy colt by Snitzel early on Monday morning.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
New French Stakes-Winner for Churchill
Currently finishing his seventh season of shuttling to Coolmore Australia, Churchill has had a productive year and sired his 16th stakes-winner of 2024 when progressive three year-old filly Some Skye landed the Listed Grand Prix de Fontainebleau (1900m) at Chantilly.
Kiwi Vendor Celebrating Sales and Racetrack Success
Vendor Barry Donoghue enjoyed a lucrative two days at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale last week and he’s now celebrated a significant result in another role.
Aussie Mare Youngstar Produces Exciting Japanese G3 Winner
Australian Group I winning half-sisters Youngstar and Funstar are both at stud in Japan and the former has a very smart two year-old colt in Eri King, who made it three wins from three starts when taking out the Group III Radio Nikkei Hai Kyoto Nissai Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday November 22
Here is the full list of 46 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Elite 1088- Karaka 2025 Unveiled
Hot on the heels of a record-breaking Ready to Run Sale, the cream of New Zealand’s yearling crop has been revealed for Karaka 2025.
Prima Park Perfect Clearance at Ready to Run
Prima Park has accrued an enviable record with their New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduates, and farm principal Kelly Van Dyk is hoping they can add another to that list from their 2024 draft.