PROMISING MAIDEN WIN BY RUN FOR COVER

Parading in terrific order, Run for Cover (3 c Burgundy – Fashion Forward, by Pentire) performed accordingly for victory in the $10,000 Revital Group Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 21 October at Matamata.

Back in class after contesting the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m), Run for Cover began well to shadow hot-favourite Helsinki (Savabeel) on pace, gained the upper-hand 300m out and remained willing to the line under urging by jockey Matt Cameron.

On rain-affected footing that downgraded to Heavy10 earlier on the programme, Run for Cover ran the 1400 metres in 1:28.9, last 600m in 38.4, and drifted in betting to return $10.50 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

Selected by Paul Moroney and purchased for $55,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale. Bred by David Ellis CNZM & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, he was prepared for sale by Ralph Thoroughbreds.

Solid over a sprint trip on debut, having looked good winning a trial on Slow7 at Te Teko, Run for Cover broke through at his third start for Ballymore Stables NZ and Savvy Racing (Mgr: Keith McDonald).

Training partners Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard have always had a good opinion of the smart-looking colt.

“I was thrilled to get the win after things hadn’t gone to plan in his first two starts,” Gerard said. “He got into trouble on debut at Te Rapa. We backed our opinion and lined him up in the Hawkes Bay Guineas but he ended up drawing the outside gate and had no chance from the rear when they dawdled and sprinted.

“Matt (Cameron) was positive on him today and I thought it was a good strong win, beating a filly (Helsinki) with a 1000 Guineas nomination. He holds a 2000 Guineas nomination, but we will have to assess options. He could also race in either the Trevor Eagle Memorial or Wellington Stakes later in November. He’ll get a mile easily and I think he’ll be even better on top of the ground.”

His sire, Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), won five stakes races and a three-quarter brother to champion sire Darci Brahma (Danehill). From an unraced mare by high-quality sire Pentire, second dam Maire Claire, by multiple champion stallion O’Reilly, was a very consistent and talented grey mare, winning six times from 1300m – 1600m including the Kelt Memorial (Listed, 1400m), and stakes placed four times including second to Penny Gem (Pentire) in the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Run for Cover has a pedigree cross of Northern Dancer in his sire lines, and inbred to Wilkes on the dam side.

Race sponsor Revital has formed a partnership in supplying aggregates for the tracks at the Matamata Racing Centre and supporting with naming rights for the first time.

Run for Cover was strapped by Michael Thompson. Image courtesy Kenton Wright, Race Images