Cote de Beaune Vintage on Debut

Emulating his latest trial win, Cote de Beaune (3 g Burgundy - Lucrative, by Pyrus) produced a polished debut in $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres on 22 December at New Plymouth.

When trialling on 29 November at Matamata, Cote de Beaune worked forward to lead, was joined at the 600m, and came clear in the straight to win easily, and did similarly on this occasion when debuting.

Although not electric from barrier seven, he assumed the lead at will, steadied to dictate, and drew clear 200m out to score by two and a half lengths for rider Danielle Johnson.

In race sponsored by Denis Wheeler Earthmoving, Cote de Beaune ran 1200 metres in 1:11.7 on Dead4 footing and justified his solid tote support ($2.90 & $1.30) after winning four of five trials.

“A hold up to the start meant he stood in the barriers for a time but he remained nice and quiet and did everything well,” said trainer Jamie Richards, who bred him in conjunction with Te Akau Stud.

“He had been good in his trials, and today quickened well off the corner and duly won well. We'll take him through the grades quietly and see where we end up. He's a horse that's taken time to mature, but he is really starting to get there now.

“I'm thrilled for the new ownership group, who only purchased him about two weeks ago. Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) syndicated him and I believe the shares sold in about five minutes, and it's good to see them on the board straight away.

“There are plenty of different ways to get involved in a horse with Te Akau. He's a classic example of how we like to do things and I'm glad it's worked out so well for everyone.”

Cote de Beaune is by five-time stakes' winning stallion Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), a three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma (Danehill), both bought as yearlings by David Ellis CNZM. His dam Lucrative performed consistently with three wins to 1400 metres, and he carries bloodline crosses to influential stallions Northern Dancer, Nijinsky, Bletchingly and Nureyev.

Lucrative was trained by Paul Richards, father of Jamie, and he part-owned the mare with his wife Leanne and friends Bill and Sandra Duell. The combination also has year younger, three-quarter sister Hanalei (2 f Darci Brahma - Lucrative) in the stable, the winner of two from three at the trials, most recently on 21 December at Ellerslie.

Grand-dam Lucadore (Wild Rampage) won six races to 1400 metres and in addition to Lucrative, left sister Dawn Ghost (Pyrus), winner of four races including Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m).

Cote de Beaune was strapped by Liam Cunningham.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz