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Super Strike’s in the Anniversary Handicap.
Hallmark Stud resident Super Easy (Darci Brahma) was represented by his fifth stakes winner on Saturday when Super Strike (4 g ex Southern Touch by Stark South) landed the Anniversary Handicap (Gr 3, 1600m) at Trenham.
Trained by Richard Collett, Super Strike came out on top of a battle with Sacred Elixir (Pour Moi) eventually beating him by a nose, while Guillada (Guillotine) was a further length and a half away in third.
"It's very special to win this race in my father's colours," owner / breeder Janet Hepi said. "Those same colours were carried by Yahabeebe in some of our great sprint races, including in the Telegraph here at Trentham.
"I just loved the win today by my super, super Super Strike. It was a sensational ride by Andrew Calder, and Richard and Judy Collett have done such a good job with him. I really appreciate all their efforts, including driving him all the way down here from Auckland for this race."
The four-year-old holds a nomination for the Thorndon Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) on January 30, but his trainer was non-committal about a return to Trentham in a fortnight.
"He's come a long way in this preparation, and this was his first time in open company," the Pukekohe trainer said.
"So we'll get him home and see how he's come through this run before deciding on anything. He might not be far away from going out to the paddock.
"But this was a good result today, and it's a big thrill to get this win for Janet. She's a lovely lady and I've trained horses for her for a number of years."
The gelding is out of unplaced Stark South mare (Dixieland Band) Southern Torch and is from the family of Group 2 winner Touch Of Force (Touching Wood).
In 2018 Southern Touch produced a brother to Super Easy, who stood at Hallmark Stud for a fee of NZ$7,500 (plus GST) in 2020.