PENDRAGON BEATS HIGHER RATED HORSES

Taking the step with aplomb, last start winner Pendragon (3 g U S Navy Flag – Kerre, by Pour Moi) won the $65,000 Wentwood Grange 3YO 1200 metres on Waikato Cup Day (16 Dec.) at Te Rapa.

After stable-mate Force Of Law (2 c War Decree – Back Date, by Zacinto) ran a bottler for third in the first race: $65,000 2YO 1100 metres, Pendragon rocked more favoured runners in race two.

Pendragon beat home Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) winner Quintessa (Shamus Award) and the Champion Two-Year-Old from last season Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin).

Having capped good juvenile form with a strong second-up victory in the Maiden 1200 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha, Pendragon faced a much tougher assignment but had shown ability to be competitive.

Aided by drawing barrier one, and again in the hands of Niranjan Parmar (a1), Pendragon began smartly to lead, settled into stride when left alone in front, quickened to a three length advantage inside the 300m and had their measure to score by one and three-quarter lengths.

“I studied the field and thought there was nothing to really be on pace, so I decided to hold it,” Parmar said.

“I started kicking on before the corner to make the horses behind us work, and it worked out pretty good.

“He’s a good horse, likes to be on pace, and he’s tough.”

On Good4 footing, Pendragon ran 1200 metres in 1:10.3, last 600m in 33.5, and drifted from a fixed odds quote of $15.00 & $2.20 to pay $21.80 & $4.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“Hats off to Parmar, he’s come in and ridden this horse quite a bit and he’s learnt to settle now as opposed to wanting to go too hard,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“It was a great ride and he’s got quite a brilliant turn of foot when he gets going.

“I’ve had him lighter, but he seems to get a bit excited, hot and sweaty, so he can be fat as he likes if he’s going to win like that.”

Owned by Dame Sian Elias & Hugh Fletcher, Ned Fletcher & Natalie Walker, Wally Campbell, and Ballymore Stables, and carrying the Fletcher tartan, Pendragon was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased by Ballymore Stables for $110,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Valachi Downs.

Pendragon is from the first New Zealand crop of Champion Two-Year-Old and European Champion 3YO Sprinter U S Navy Flag (War Front), a triple Group One winning sprinter, and Champion New Zealand First Season Sire.

The first foal from Pour Moi (Montjeu) mare Kerre, who placed in Great Britain, Pendragon was a very well balanced and solid individual in every respect from the outset.

Accepting the spoils, part-owner Wally Campbell said: “Sean and Dean (Hawkins) at Wentwood Grange, I first met their father (Des) when he got kicked by a horse and I met him in the A & E at hospital.

“Thank you for sponsoring this race for 20 years now, also Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, and Pam (Gerard) has done so well for me as an owner I just can’t believe it.

“I’m lost for words, but thank you very much Pam. People just don’t realize the joy I get out of this.”

Pendragon was strapped by Joe Nishizuka.