Monday, 6th May 2024
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Progressive mare Tabata collected her first stakes success when she prevailed in a desperate finish to the Listed Property Brokers Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at Tauherenikau on Monday. Owned by former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum ONZM, who these days is sought after in both coaching and commentary roles around the globe, the 4YO daughter of champion stallion Savabeel looked a forlorn hope halfway down the home straight as she and leading hoop Danielle Johnson were giving the eventual runner-up Cruz Ramirez a 4-length head start. According to loveracing.nz, trainer Stephen Marsh was delighted with the victory, his third at stakes level in 48 hours after securing a Gr3 double on Saturday. Marsh will now head home and work out an autumn program for Tabata who has shown she can handle pretty much any type of track condition to date. "Her breeding and the way she handled the 1600m today suggests to me a race like the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) later on in April might be an ideal target." Purchased by McCullum under his Vermair Bloodstock banner and Hughes Bloodstock for $100,000 from the Waikato Stud draft at the 2018 Book 1 sale at Karaka, Tabata hails from the extended family of Group One winners Xtravagant, Legs and Sixty Seconds.
