Peeping wins the Pendant
Tom Kelly’s 4YO mare Peeping became the 78th Group winner by champion sire Redoute’s Choice when she scored a decisive victory in Saturday’s $400,000 $ATC Golden Pendant S. 1400m G2.
Her last-start failure due to cardiac arrythmia cast some doubts over Peeping’s chances, but she was presented in perfect order and performed accordingly. She bounced out smartly and settled back fourth, on the outside of last year’s Golden Pendant winner Arabian Gold, while Two Blue set the pace up front.
Jockey Sam Clipperton hooked Peeping out on the turn and shook her up at the 300-metre mark, with the favourite Catkins behind her. She engaged with a tenacious Two Blue and found plenty to pull away for a three-quarter-length victory in 1:23.07 with Berry Delicious a determined third, 1.25 lengths further back.
Watch Peeping’s Golden Pendant G2 win.
Peeping’s biggest win to date takes her record to five wins, including last season’s ATC Darby Munro S. LR, three placings and $473,785 from 10 starts. The ATC Angst S. G3 on 10 October is her likely next start and trainer Ron Quinton indicated she will also be around for Autumn.
Peeping’s dual Group-winning dam Miss Marielle (by Encosta De Lago) also has a 2YO colt by Redoute’s Choice, purchased for $475,000 from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2015 Inglis Easter Sale. Named France, he will race in the ownership of the China Horse Club, Horse Ventures, Newgate Farm & Tom Kelly.
Newhaven Park added a second new Group performer to its illustrious record when the Luke Price-trained 3YO gelding Man Of Choice (by Encosta De Lago’s son Manhattan Rain from Moonsong by Redoute’s Choice) ran home staunchly for third in Vanbrugh’s ATC Gloaming S. 1800m G3.
The Redoute’s Choice/Encosta De Lago cross was also seen in the Morphettville winner’s circle on Saturday when Peter Katelanis’ home-bred 4YO mare Into The Mist (ex De Lago Mist) scored her third win from 7 starts.
Peeping is the fourth stakeswinner for Redoute’s Choice in the the first two months of the 2015/16 season, following Royal Descent (ATC Warwick S. G2), She’s Clean (Newcastle JC Tibbie S. G3) and Counterattack (ATC Heritage S. LR). He has now moved into second place on the Australian General Sires’ table, with earnings of $1.6 million.