Our Intrigue (NZ) (Showcasing) bounced back to her best when she produced a powerful home straight surge to down another Kiwi-bred galloper in Off Shaw (NZ) (Tobique) by the barest of margins over 2000m at benchmark78 level at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Racing as Intrigue in New Zealand for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, the six-year-old daughter of Showcasing won three of her 19 starts, including the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie as a three-year-old.
Out of the winner’s circle for two subsequent seasons, Our Intrigue made her way to the Sydney stable of ex-pat Kiwi Chris Waller in June for owners Mark and Celia Wyborn and Robin Peel-Walker.
Third up for Waller on Saturday, Our Intrigue got back in the run before setting out after pacemaker Off Shaw, who also did his early racing in New Zealand with two wins from four starts for trainer Bill Thurlow before being sold to clients of another Kiwi ex-pat, Bjorn Baker.
Just as Off Shaw looked like he would hold on for the win, Our Intrigue stretched bravely for rider James McDonald and got up to score by a head at the winning post.
“It was a good gallop all the way and it took the whole length of the straight to reel in the leader, but it was a good performance,” Waller said.
“She has come across from New Zealand and had a few little quirks, but my team have done a good job with her and James backed it up with a good ride today.
“She was terrible at her last start (beaten 14 lengths), simple as that. She just seemed like she wasn’t breathing properly and was losing a bit of confidence.
“We put a tongue-tie on her and we just went back to the basics and gave her a trial and she has done a good job.
“Obviously, she was going well for Tony Pike back in New Zealand, but just lost her way in between.”
McDonald was suitably impressed with the improvement Our Intrigue had shown between runs.
“She is trained by a master who just perseveres with stuff and gave her a trial,” he said.
“I don’t know what it was, but whatever he has done has worked.
“She just felt a different horse today and really sprouted wings the last little bit.
“I thought I had got beat and I was cursing myself for leaving my run too late, but she dug in really well.”
McDonald is confident there is more in store for the mare who was purchased out of the Haunui Farm draft at the 2017 Karaka Yearling sale for $70,000 by bloodstock agent Paul Moroney.
“I think it is more about confidence for her,” McDonald said.
“She definitely had a good day out today which will boost that for sure.
“She only has to perform to that level again and she will be competitive in some nice races.
“It is good to ride a winner for my fellow friend in Mr Wyborn, which is terrific.”
Intrigue is out of the Monsun mare Forever And Ever and has now won four races and over A$163,000 in prizemoney.
