Chilli Con Khan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) could have been described as leftovers at one point in her life but was given a chance by Murray Garrett and the Pukekohe trainer was rewarded with an impressive maiden win at his home track on Wednesday.
Chilli Co Khan was part of Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry’s dispersal sale a couple of years ago, but was unwanted, with Garrett only taking her on after purchasing a Mongolian Falcon filly in the auction.
“When they had their dispersal sale, I bought a Mongolian Falcon filly out of Middlebrook and she (Chilli Con Khan) was one of the ones that was leftover,” Garrett said. “I liked the look of her and thought we would give her ago.”
She has rewarded Garrett for taking a chance on her, placing second-up at Te Aroha earlier this month before posting an impressive four length victory in the TAB NZ 1600 on Wednesday.
“I broke her in myself and she has been a sweetheart the whole way,” Garrett said.
“Her first time in, in her trial she ran third and then she was put out with shin soreness and came back in this time and has done everything right.
“She had been showing a bit in previous starts, so it was good to get the win. She has shown that she can handle the sticky ground.
“I think she can go on with it too, she is out of a Zabeel mare.”
Earlier on the card, Garrett almost caused an upset with juvenile Beau Luca (NZ) in the First Weanlings By Sword Of State 1200, with the son of Embellish just getting pipped at the post by Ortega (NZ) (Reliable Man) following a brave front-running effort.
“When he shot out a couple of lengths on them at the start I thought he would stop halfway down the straight, but to his credit he kept going,” Garrett said.
“I think he will want the give in the track, I don’t think he will like the hard tracks, so we will just see how he comes through this and then have a look at what is around.”
Garrett bred and owns the gelding and said it was a sentimental win for the family.
“The mare was given to me by my uncle,” he said. “I have got a full-sister to him at home as well.”
Meanwhile, Garret will head to Tauranga on Saturday with just the one contender.
“Impaired Vision will be lining up at Tauranga on Saturday,” Garrett said. “He needs to do something, but he has gone a couple of reasonable races in his last couple of starts.”
