Kiwi Stakes-Winner for Holy Roman
Group I New Zealand Derby aspirant Mongolian Khan (3c Holy Roman Emperor x Centafit, by Centaine) stamped his credentials with a comfortable all the way victory in the Listed Jesters Pies Guineas Prelude at Ellerslie on Sunday.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained colt led throughout on slow ground to win the 2100 metre staying test by a length and a half.
“It was a good effort as he hadn’t raced for over six weeks but he still jumped out nicely and settled well during the race,” said winning rider Craig Grylls.
“They left us alone to do our own thing and when the pressure came on he had a good kick and did it comfortably in the end.
“He handled the track well although he’s just as good on top of the ground and I don’t think that going further will bother him either.”
Mongolian Khan is owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Company, a consortium that is headed by Manchurian business magnate, Mr Lang Ling. The organisation has had a major impact on the New Zealand breeding industry in the past few years where they have purchased in excess of 500 horses through the auction ring or via private sales.
A successful pinhook having been bought for $140,000 as a yearling ad re-sold for $220,000 at the 2013 NZB Ready To Run Sale of two-year-olds, Mongolian Khan has now taken his record to three wins from just four starts and is among the favourites for the Group I New Zealand Derby in March behind early favourite Volkstok’n’barrell.
Mongolian Khan is a half-brother to Group I winner Young Centaur and is the 46th stakes-winner for Holy Roman Emperor.