New Zealand G2 Winner for Lookin at Lucky
Southern Hemisphere bred Our Abbadean (5m Lookin at Lucky x Highland Lights, by Fantastic Light) scored the first stakes victory of her career when winning the Grade II City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) in New Zealand on Saturday.
The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-prepared five-year-old was a dashing winner of in the hands of Danielle Johnson.
The Cambridge-based jockey had earlier claimed the Grade I Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on stablemate Avantage (2f Fastnet Rock x Asavant, by Zabeel).
“It’s been a really good day for all of us,” Richards said.
Our Abbadean’s success significantly boosted the value of the Wentwood Grange-bred and raced daughter of Lookin At Lucky, who has now won six of her 22 starts.
“We think the Hawke’s Bay Cup will be a nice fit for the mare,” Richards said. “We’ll discuss all the options with the owners, but that looks a good race for her.”
Our Abbadean, who had also won her previous start over 2200m at Trentham, came with a well-timed finish from back in the field to beat Five To Midnight and last year’s winner Sampson.
The 33rd stakes-winner for Lookin at Lucky, Our Abbadean is the best of three winners from Highland Lights, an unraced Fantastic Light daughter of US Grade I winner Miss Josh.