3 minute read

Speedy two-year-old Khimar War credited former Highview Stud stallion, Sweet Orange with his first New Zealand winner when he dominated his rivals over 1000 metres at Riccarton.

Out of the stakes placed mare Flame Of Atlanta, Khimar War had impressed when running third on debut last month and was well supported to improve on that performance in Saturday’s contest.

Allowed to find his feet in the early rush for positions, Khimar War closed quickly on the pacemakers early in the home straight before bursting clear inside the 200m mark to win as he liked from Hapi Ella and the fast finishing Miss Curious.

“He’s a very exciting horse and he’s not just a two-year-old,” said trainer Lance Robinson.

“He’s really surprised me with what he’s shown as we only really ran him for education, but he’s just kept getting better and better.”

While Robinson is eyeing a start in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on 5 May as the season finale for his charge, he is quick to admit he is looking forward to the gelding’s three-year-old campaign with relish.

“We’re under a bit of pressure whether to run him in the two-year-old final or turn him out,” he said.

“It’s a black-type race so we probably need to back up in a fortnight, but I just can’t wait until he turns three.

“I said to Jacob (Lowry) to ride him a wee bit quiet as I only wanted to see him finding the line.

“He showed his true worth and I’m just rapt as I think I have a really nice three-year-old on my hands.”

Khimar War was a $30,000 purchase from the Highview Stud draft during the Select session of the 2017 NZ Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is from the first crop of Gr.1 Hong Kong Classic Mile winner Sweet Orange who stood at Highview for three seasons before relocating to Australia for the 2017 breeding season.