 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 2010
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
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The Mark Purdon and Grant Payne-trained Kotare Mach won his fifth race this season in the Vero 3YO Flying Stakes. The Mach Three colt has had a topsy-turvy season where he has either confidently won, or over-raced for a non-placing. However with two consecutive wins, the latest being a Group 2, Kotare Mach looks to be back on track.
Race favourite, Kotare Mach, quickly left the gates with Purdon at the reins to move toward the lead, before Sir Lincoln crossed him to take control out front. The pace was slow before the pressure came and Sir Lincoln quickened, whilst Purdon sat quietly in the trail.
Heading for home, Purdon sped Kotare Mach up as they charged through on the passing lane. Sir Lincoln looked to have a hold over the favourite before a surge from Kotare Mach saw him nudge out in front and take over the lead. Kotare Mach crossed the line with one-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over Sir Lincoln, making it a Mach Three quinella. Five Star Anvil finished half-a-head back in third.
Friday’s win was Kotare Mach’s second Group victory, with his first being the Group 1 2009 NZ Welcome Stakes. In his two seasons of racing, the three-year-old colt has won eight of his 16 starts and $151,460 in stakes for Kotare Downs Ltd. Next on the cards for Kotare Mach will no doubt be the Christian Cullen NZ Derby, which Purdon and Payne have won the last two years.
Credit: HRNZ