New Zealand-bred Gunstock (NZ) (Tavistock) proved to be too good for his opposition in the Gr.3 Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Wednesday.
Jockey Jamie Kah settled Gunstock in behind pacemaker Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock). Kah sent the Tavistock four-year-old to the front at the 600m mark when the leader started to tire and quickly distanced his rivals, running away to a three-length victory.
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have had plenty of time for the gelding and they said things worked into his favour.
“A couple of scratchings came out and made it nice. Denis’ (Pagan, trainer) horse (Johnny Get Angry) leading and taking us into the race was good. He was still nicely on the bridle,” Price said.
Gunstock has now won three and placed in two of his seven starts, including winning the Gr.3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) last year, and his trainers are looking at stepping him up over further ground.
“He is not a bad horse. I think he has got a good 2400m race in him, be that the Bendigo or Geelong, or even the last day of the carnival,” Price said.
“He is a good, clean-winded, sound stayer who can win a nice staying race.
“He is still on the up too, he is only second-up.
“He won’t be a summer horse. If he has another two starts and we look after him in summer, we will have a nice autumn horse.”
Jockey Jamie Kah was effusive in her praise for Gunstock.
“He has taken a lot of improvement since his first-up run,” she said.
“We knew he would and the team has brought him here in spot on condition. He wouldn’t have blown a candle out the way he pulled up. That was just too easy for him.”
Bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, Gunstock is bred on the famed Tavistock-Zabeel cross.
An $80,000 purchase by Jamie Beatson of Ohukia Lodge from Cambridge Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale draft at Karaka, Gunstock is out of Zeranti (NZ) (Zabeel), who is also the dam of Gunstock’s full-brother The Irishman (NZ), a Group Two performer in Australia and a stakes performer in New Zealand.
