Pentire chasing top honours
Press release courtesy of Rich Hill Stud
11:08 AM Friday Mar 05, 2010
Pentire claims quality representation in this weekend's feature events and the Be My Guest stallion was represented by a timely lead-up winner in Sydney during the week. His five-year-old son Pathway struck gold for the third time in his 14-start career when he was successful over 2100 metres at Wyong.
Pathway has been patiently handled by trainer Mark de Montfort and had stepped up to a middle distance for the first time this preparation at Gosford at his previous appearance. He finished fifth there on a heavy track and showed his appreciation of improved going yesterday to score with authority for rider Mitchell Bell.
His dam Turtle Beach was a 2000 metre winner in Australia and comes from the family of dual Gr 1 winner Bravery (Queensland Oaks, Queensland Derby) and Gr 2 winners Brave Prince (Chelmsford Stakes), Timbourina (Wakeful Stakes) and Media (Gr Magic Night Stakes).
Rich Hill's Pentire has in-form prospects in two Gr 1 Australian contests on Saturday with the outstanding Rangirangdoo taking aim at the Chipping Norton Stakes in Sydney and top mare Zarita in the Australian Cup mix in Melbourne. The former is the pre-post favourite for the Warwick Farm metric mile while last-start Gr 2 winner Zarita is being kept safe in the betting market in an open line-up at Flemington.
On the home front, the Hong Kong-bound Corporal Jones is currently second favourite behind Zarzuela in the New Zealand Derby. The three-year-old was runner-up to the filly in both the Gr 3 Waikato Guineas and Gr 2 Championship Stakes and the 2400 metre classic distance will ideally suit his pedigree. Sire Pentire is a proven source of Derby success - his crack son Xcellent won in 2004 - while Corporal Jones' dam Assesarose was a two-time middle distance winner.