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Llanacord records a narrow victory in the Lowlands Stakes on Wednesday
Mapperley Stud-based sire Contributor (High Chaparral) was represented by his first stakes winner when his Stephen Nickalls-trained daughter Llanacord (3 f ex L’accord by Golan) scored a narrow victory in the Lowlands Stakes (Gr 2, 2100m) at Hastings on Wednesday.
Having her third start in stakes company, Llanacord withstood the late challenge of Charms Star (Per Incanto) to hold on by a nose. Canuhandleajandal (Jimmy Choux) was another half length back in third.
Ridden by Leah Hemi, Llanacord enjoyed a nice run three back on the fence before being presented at the top of the straight and proved too tough in the run home, setting up a tilt at the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) at Trentham on March 20.
“It feels amazing. It’s just an incredible feeling,” Nickalls, best-known for training jumpers, said after claiming his first flat stakes success.
“We ran second in a Wellington Steeplechase and that was a special day, but this is pretty cool.
“I know we are in COVID times and it is a very different world, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm at all.
“I have got to say a big thank you to Darryl Bradley who galloped her on Monday for me and said ‘this filly has just improved out of sight’.
“We were happy with her and she was fit and healthy. If she was good enough, she was in the right condition, and she certainly proved she was good enough.”
Llanacord was sold for NZ$15,000 by Mapperley Stud to part-owner Mr K E Hopson at the New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2019 Karaka Book 2 sale. She has now won twice and placed in another two of her eight career starts for earnings of just over NZ$63,000. She is one of four winners and the only stakes winner out of winning Golan (Spectrum) mare L’Accord who was bought by Mapperley Stud for NZ$26,000 at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock National Broodmare Sale.
Llanacord’s second dam is Distant Heights (Imposing) who produced New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Ad Altar (Kenfair).
After producing a colt by LA Stud shuttler Time Test last November, L’accord was covered again by Contributer.
Contributer has sired 14 winners in his first two crops to race and four stakes performers including Lion’s Roar who finished second in the Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m). He stands at Mapperley Stud where his 2020 stud fee was NZ$10,000 +GST.