Kapalua Sunset (NZ)
Kapalua Sunset (NZ)
3 f Tavistock – Full of Spirit by Flying Spur
O: Mr D T O’Brien, Mrs J O’Brien, Balmerino Racing Partnership, Mr P J Prendergast, Mr C D Mathieson, Mr J R Gunston, Mr L M Breust, Mr J J Roughead, Mr L Shiels
B: Haunui Bloodstock / GSA Bloodstock
T: Danny O’Brien
S: 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale V: Little Avondale Stud P: O’Brien Thoroughbreds, $150,000
W: Bet365 Odds Drift Protector Maiden Plate, 1875m, September 21, Kyneton
The Danny O’Brien-trained Kapalua Sunset (Tavistock) displayed her Oaks credentials with an impressive seven-length win over 1875 metres at Kyneton on Tuesday, promoting her to joint favouritism for the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) at Flemington on November 4.
The three-year-old filly finished a close third on debut over 1512 metres at Geelong on September 5 and appreciated the extra distance in this maiden contest to put a wide margin between herself and runner-up Absconded (Sweet Orange).
Ridden by Brett Prebble, Kapalua Sunset travelled midfield before rounding the field from the 800 metres to take a comfortable lead prior to the turn for home.
Never looking in any trouble, she then stretched out her advantage with ease to score an effortless win.
“It was a pretty easy watch. Brett gave her a nice ride, just kept her in a nice rhythm and she put them away quite easily,” stable representative Andrew Edwards said post-race.
“Being a Tavistock filly and a three-year-old, you have got to think there’s possibly an Oaks (on her radar), whether that be this preparation or next, we will let her tell us. That is the path we will look to take.”
Prebble was equally as impressed with her performance, adding: “She is way better than that sort of class. It was a nice stepping stone and a soft kill.
“She dropped the head nicely and they were just dropping like flies. She just outstayed them and she is a smart filly going towards the Oaks.
“I think she has got a good head on her and a good staying brain. She has a good set of lungs and wasn’t even blowing.”
Bred by Haunui Bloodstock in conjunction with Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, Kapalua Sunset is out of Challenge Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) runner-up and Group 3 winner Full Of Spirit (Flying Spur), who in turn is out of Imposingly (Zabeel), dam of five stakes winners, including three-time Group 1 winner Bonneval (Makfi).
Full Of Spirit ran fourth in the 2012 Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m), which bodes well for Kapalua Sunset’s prospects this season.