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Racing fans will not get to see bonny chestnut mare Kiwi Karma at Kranji anymore following her connections’ decision to retire her to the breeding barn.
The daughter of Fast ‘N’ Famous will join another mare in Believe Yourself (see other story) on an Australian-bound plane on August 20, but unlike Hideyuki Takaoka’s mare who is still being kept in competition Down Under with Sydney premier trainer Gai Waterhouse before becoming a mum, Kiwi Karma is heading straight to Attunga Stud on the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.
Trainer Michael Clements, who is currently in England to celebrate his mother’s 80th birthday, said the timing was such that taking Kiwi Karma to that new chapter of her life was the best option for her.
“She has raced hard as a two-year-old and as a three-year-old. She is the type of filly who always gives 101% and is very genuine,” said Clements.
“But that has eventually taken its toll on her. If we had pushed her for another season after she turns five-year-old, we felt she would be racing below her best, especially after her last run in the Stewards’ Cup.
“I discussed with the owners (DSands Racing Stable) and retiring her at this stage was the best option. She is leaving when she is not at the top of her game, but neither is she racing badly.
“They have sold her to a breeder in Australia. Hopefully, she will be able to get out of quarantine quick enough to go to her first stallion.
“It will be interesting to follow her progeny in the future and let’s hope one of them races here one day.
“The owners actually went to say their goodbyes to her at the resting stables yesterday. She’s been a super good mare to them.”
Originally prepared by Laurie Laxon as a two-year-old before Clements took over in early 2015, Kiwi Karma has bowed out the winner of eight races, including one at Group 2 level, the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) and two at Group 3 level, the one-off CECF Singapore Prestige Classic (1400m) and the Dester Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) and close to $950,000 in stakes earnings.
Kiwi Karma was meant to run in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) in Dubai in March but was pulled out because of the Strangles ban imposed by the Dubai Racing Club. Connections looked at alternative overseas plans like Newmarket or the QIPCO Championships later in the year, but they were not meant to be in the end.
“Not going to Dubai was probably a blessing in disguise in the end,” said assistant-trainer Michael White.
“She would have found it tough. She was not going as well as she was and her mannerisms were not the same.
“Her last run over 1400m was not all that bad. I think it was a tough decision, but it was the right decision.
“She’s been a great mare to us, but rather than bottom her out, it’s best to retire her when she is not necessarily on top but not disgraced either. There is not a lot you can do about it, but I think she is ready to be a mum.
“When you lose a good horse like her, you don’t straightaway look for another good horse to replace her, but you still hope the next big thing will come along.”
The Clements yard has a few good sorts like Alibi and debut winner Knight Chen Bay going around this week, as well as a newcomer Baby Grand, who, if his seven-length barrier trial win is anything to go by, should prove pretty useful to the Zimbabwean-born trainer as well.
“I won’t be at the races on Friday night as I only fly back on Saturday but I will be at the races on Sunday,” said Clements.
“Baby Grand had one run in Australia for a place (second), but she was unfortunately delayed. She was among that group of 10 horses who were stuck in Malaysia.
“She showed a lot of speed in her trial. She will unfortunately start first-up in a Class 4 race, which is not ideal as she is still a maiden.
“But she’s drawn well in two and hopefully she goes all right. Alibi and Knight Chen Bay are also running this weekend and I expect a good run from both.
“I won’t see Knight Chen Bay as he’s in the Novice race on Friday. He scored a very impressive win at his first race, and Michael Rodd was very happy with him and had only good things to say about him.”
After scoring in an Initiation race over 1200m three weeks ago, Knight Chen Bay, a four-year-old by Hichinbrook, will take on impressive debut Sunday winner Paperback Trooper, who is backing up in Friday’s $75,000 Novice race over 1200m while Alibi (x Darci Brahma) who is bidding for a fourth win in five runs, races in the $80,000 Any Humour 2009 Stakes Class 3 race over 1400m on Sunday.