Katie Lee Wins 2000 Guineas
- Sunday, 08 November 2009 01:30
Into contention for the time honoured event after dashing clear to win the Listed Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa on Labour Day, October 26, Katie Lee was six dollars with TAB bookmakers in the week leading up to the race, before gaining further favour on the day to return $4.10 & $1.70 as second favourite.
Aboard for her two starts since resuming, Opie Bosson settled the classy grey filly midfield on the rail and all appeared to be going to plan until he went in search of clear galloping room early in the home straight.
Held in a pocket by Kaaptan, Katie Lee remained stymied after being denied an exit while the leader, Military Move, had high-tailed it for home inside the 300 metres.
From three lengths astern at the furlong pole, Katie Lee burst on to the scene, flying over the concluding stages to round up Military Move before going on to win by one length.
The race took on a local flavour with South Island trained gelding Clapton filling third position, a neck away.
Clapton is prepared by Joanne Hillis, daughter of the late Bill Hillis, at Wingatui.
Another filly, Corsage finished fourth, ahead of her stable-mate from the Walker barn, King's Ransom, fifth.
The favourite, Keyora finished seventh, disappointing trainer John Wheeler with the effort after racing a touch keen handy to the pace.
The time for the mile was 1:34.91, final 600 metres in 34.45, with the meeting conducted on perfect footing under clear skies.
Bosson said, "We got a beautiful run and she showed a great turn-of-foot when we got a split."
Following the recent win by Katie Lee it was expected that she would contest the 1000 Guineas a week later on November 14, but a decision was made by connections to compete against the colts and geldings on the availability of Bosson to take the ride.
Bosson had also been aboard rival contenders leading up to the race and it was paramount to Hogan that Bosson opted to ride his filly.
"If Opie chose another horse, she wasn't running. That was the bottom line. Not because other jockeys aren't good enough, there is no disrespect to any of them, but because he gets on so well the horse", said Hogan.
While any victory brings genuine satisfaction, it was clear to see in the faces of Hogan, Bosson and the training combination of Graeme and Debbie Rogerson that the success was incredibly sweet.
In partnership since the commencement of the new season, Katie Lee provided the Rogerson duo with their first group one success.
Speaking on their behalf, Graeme Rogerson said, "She's something special. You don't see them any better than that, especially after getting flattened once then again at the furlong."
"Sir Patrick has been a great supporter of mine. He's a champion. He's been in Melbourne all week with me and he's been sitting with the filly down at the stables for the last two hours."
"Opie almost gave me a heart attack at the furlong, but great horses can do great things and she is a great horse."
Following her Te Rapa victory, Hogan had let it be known that the purchase of Katie Lee was a spur of the moment decision.
Hogan had said, "She walked into the ring, I saw her and bought her and she has turned out to be a hell of a good filly. I was just leaning on the rail at the sales when I saw her and decided to buy her on the spot. She was from a good grey mare and by Pins, so I decided to have a go."
Her sire, Pins, stands at Waikato Stud and Hogan suggested stud boss Gary Chittick would have also enjoyed the victory.
"It could be the first time Garry Chittick has been happy with me. Well, he should be anyway", said Hogan.
Burdened by a few feet problems, Katie Lee spends a considerable amount of her preparation time in the aqua walker at the Rogerson stable, and Debbie Rogerson said, "Through that regime we had her at about eighty-percent for the Sarten. We wanted her one-hundred percent for today and she normally recovers okay."
Providing Katie Lee makes a good recovery from the race and prospers during the week she will line-up in the $300,000, Group 1, New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 14.
"I hope she can come back here next Saturday for everyone concerned", said Rogerson.
Katie Lee gave Bosson his fourth success in the race, having won in 1998 aboard Danske, Buzz Lightyear the following year, and King's Chapel in 2003.
Sir Patrick outlaid $340,000 for Katie Lee at the 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale from the draft of Hallmark Stud.
