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Veteran New Zealand trainer and breeder Brian Anderton has celebrated the Group One Metropolitan Handicap win of Patrick Erin with pride.
It was the type of performance that Anderton knew Patrick Erin was capable of from the day he galloped him for the first time at his Wingatui base.
Bred and raised at Anderton’s White Robe Lodge, the seven-year-old son of resident stallion Gallant Guru caught Anderton’s eye early in the piece.“He was a lovely young horse and I thought from day one that he had the makings of a really top stayer,” Anderton said.
“He was an immature type, so time was going to be his friend but the raw talent was there.”Given plenty of time to strengthen and develop by breeder and co-owner Patrick Smith, whom the horse is named after, Patrick Erin commenced his career in 2016 and tasted success for the first time when successful over 1200m on his home track in June that year.
He quickly raced through the grades, winning ten of his 21 starts before Anderton took the hard decision to recommend to his connections that the horse would be better placed racing in Australia.“I thought he could win a really good race in Australia, so we sat down with Patrick, his wife Jan and the other owners and recommended that they look at getting him into a good stable over there,” Anderton said.
Tragedy struck when Patrick Smith passed away four months ago without seeing his charge win at the highest level, a fact that made Saturday’s victory an emotion filled moment for Anderton.Patrick Erin’s race record now stands at 11 wins from 27 starts and eight placings while his prize money of $645,454.
“I’m just delighted for Jan and the family that he did what he did on Saturday,” he said. “It’s been a tough time for them with Patrick’s passing so to get that win was very special.“Jan was there to see it all unfold, so I’m sure when she gets back we will have a good celebration to look forward to.”
Anderton is philosophical about what effect Patrick Erin’s victory will have for his stallion Gallant Guru, who has been neglected by breeders in recent years.“The phone might go this week but it’s been a bit lean for him of late,” he said.
“When you think of horses like Patrick Erin, his older brother Gallant Boy, Jackfrost, Coulee and Tommy Tucker he produces good, tough individuals that race on and have a fair bit of class about them.”Patrick Erin (Gallant Guru x Mega Babe by Personal Escort) is out of the once-raced mare Mega Babe.
By Personal Escort, Mega Babe has produced six winners including Gallant Boy (Gallant Guru), who won eight times and was placed in G2 company, and Beijing Boy (Yamanin Vital), who also won eight races and was second at G2 level.Their third dam Red’s Image (Approval) is out of the stakes winning mare Red Sash (Bellborough).