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New Zealand Racing News
Saturday, April 22 2017

An emotional Shelley Hale again savoured success in three racing roles at Ellerslie when Seventh Up powered to victory in the Gr.2 Easter Stakes.

Seventh Up in yellow and green hooped cap - Trish Dunell

The Cambridge horsewoman celebrated as the co-breeder, part-owner and trainer of the well-related son of Shinko King, who took top honours in the Manco-sponsored feature under veteran jockey Grant Cooksley.

"Wow, I just wish it was still a Group One as I think he is a Group One horse," Hale said.

"I'm thrilled to bits and quite overcome by it all. He's a neat horse and it's just lovely to see him get such a good win."

Seventh Up is a son of the Exploding Prospect mare Regelle, who won four races herself but it is as a broodmare that she has made a more serious mark.

Seven of her eight foals to race have won and they include Seventh Up's brothers Thumbs Up, a Group Two winner and Group One placegetter in Hong Kong, and Sum Up, a multiple winner and a Group performer.

"She's been a gem of a mare for us," Hale said.

The latest family star Seventh Up settled off the pace and when the field fanned out in the straight he hit top gear for Cooksley and, appropriately, powered to the seventh win of his 16-start career.

"He jarred up down at Riccarton in the spring so we missed races like the Rich Hill Mile and the Thorndon, but they are races we will be looking at next time around," Hale said.

Seventh Up was having his fourth start since his disappointing southern venture and had showed himself to be on target for the Easter with his lead-up success in an open sprint at Tauranga.

"He won comfortably, it took nothing out of him and he bounced through the week so I knew he was ready," Hale said.

The talented Hiflyer ran second ahead of the previously unbeaten Let Me Roar with Scapolo fourth in front of last year's winner Sound Proposition.

Posted by: Racing Desk AT 06:38 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
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