Kipkeino produced a career best performance at Hastings on Saturday to claim top honours in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles.
The rising 10-year-old only had a maiden success over the smaller fences to his credit before taking aim at the Te Whangai Romneys-sponsored feature, but he rose to the challenge in dashing
style for an elated part-owner and trainer Lucy de Lautour.
“That was a fantastic ride by Shaun and I’m just so delighted,this makes everything worthwhile,” she said. “It’s only his fourth start this preparation so we’re all really chuffed.”
Runner-up at Trentham at his previous outing, Kipkeino was given an economical passage behind the pace by Shaun Phelan who was able to push through on the fence to move into serious contention across the top.
They were in front at the final flight and the son of the Zabeel horse Sunray held a strong gallop to win with authority.
“He’s an exceptional jumper and an easy ride really,” Phelan said. “When we jumped I thought there would be more pace on so I was quite happy to sit in the trail.
“I was following the Myers horses and then got through and he kept going strongly.”
A six-time winner on the flat, Kipkeino had a length and a quarter to spare on Justa Charlie, who had the winner’s measure when they last met at Trentham.
The topweight and favourite Sea King rallied bravely to be a nose back in third spot after being under pressure at the top of the straight.
