Cover image by Dan Himbrechts courtesy of AAP Photos
Written by Paul Vettise
Kinane (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has made a more than favourable impression on the track during his brief career.
The Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old finished runner-up in his first two starts before breaking his maiden at Wyong and then handled a sharp rise in class with aplomb when successful in the G3 Frank Packer Plate at Randwick.
Substantial offers subsequently for flowed for Kinane, reportedly in excess of $2.5 million, but they were all turned down and the 3-year-old will step out in Saturday’s G3 Lexus Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm.
The gelding arrived in Brisbane on Monday to the care of Paul Shailer, who runs Waller’s Queensland operation at the Gold Coast.
“He’s a lovely horse, but he’s just a plain bay horse and doesn’t stand out compared to others. He certainly looks like a stayer, he’s built like one and he’s very well put together in that respect,” Shailer said.
“He was very good in the Frank Packer Plate and he had a very light gallop, just a maintenance gallop to clear his wind, on the course proper on Thursday morning. Glen Colless rode him and was very happy.
“The horse pulled up well and he’s bright and happy. He’s going into Saturday very well, but in saying that he’s got an awkward barrier to contend with.
“He’s going into Saturday very well, but in saying that he’s got an awkward barrier to contend with.” – Paul Shailer
“We’re lucky it’s at Eagle Farm and not Doomben and that plays into our hands a little bit. It’s a bit easier to come from the back at Eagle Farm and we’ve got a good jockey on in Ryan Maloney.
“He’ll navigate a passage and if the horse is good enough he’ll give a good account of himself. I’m not sure what Chris has got in mind, we’re just concentrating on getting the horse there safely and in good order.”
Kinane (NZ) as a yearling
Bred by Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud, Kinane was purchased out of Phoenix Park’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale by agent Phill Cataldo for NZ$165,000 and is raced by a syndicate that includes trainer Mick Kent.
When he decided to take a break from training earlier this year, he transferred Kinane to Waller.
He is the first foal of Tres Rapide (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu {NZ}), who is out of a half-sister to the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic winner Magic Dancer (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Manten (Encosta De Lago). He was successful nine times and placed at Group 1 level.
Juvenile prospect
Waller will also be represented in the G2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic by the promising Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).
Raced by long-time stable client Neville Morgan, the 2-year-old was a debut winner at Geelong before he made late ground to finish fourth at Randwick.
Kukeracha only arrived in Queensland on Thursday morning and Shailer said the colt was in great condition.
He was bred by Waikato Stud vet Dr Chris Phillips and sold through the Matamata farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft for NZ$130,000 to agent Guy Mulcaster.
Phillips purchased the dam Portrait Of A Lady (USA) (AP Indy {USA}) at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for $40,000 and she has a colt at foot by Sacred Falls (NZ) and is in foal to Ocean Park (NZ).
Watch: Kukeracha (NZ) as a yearling
Also the dam of the G3 Keith Nolan Classic and Listed Scone Cup winner Cameo (Shamardal {USA}), Portrait Of A Lady is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner and sire Layman (USA) and a family that had a major Australasian influence through leading sire Iffraaj (GB).
Kukeracha is a possible G1 JJ Atkins S. starter, as are stablemates Overlord (Sebring), Yangtze Rapids (Frankel {GB}) and Achiever (Pride Of Dubai), depending on their performances at Randwick in the Darley 2YO H.
