Lekvarte (NZ) Lands Another Group Three Prize (NZB)

Powerful-finishing mare Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man) showcased her turn of foot on a big stage at Randwick on Saturday, adding a third Group Three win to her collection with victory in the A$250,000 James Squire Angst Stakes (1600m).

Lekvarte was a $210,000 purchase from Westbury Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2020. She has now had 31 starts for nine wins, including Group Three victories in the Angst Stakes, Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) and Aspiration Quality (1600m). The classy grey mare has earned A$923,330.

After producing a late finish for fourth in her resuming run in last month’s Group Two Golden Pendant (1400m), Lekvarte was expected to appreciate the step up to 1600 metres on Saturday. But her task grew more difficult when she drew the outside gate in a field of 14, leaving jockey Josh Parr with no choice but to drop back to a clear last in the running.

The six-year-old mare had plenty of ground to make up turning for home, but Parr got her into the clear and she accelerated explosively. She charged home and timed her finish to perfection, getting up to beat Quickster (Shamus Award) by a neck.

“She’s electric, isn’t she, when she can get clear air like that,” Parr said. “She really let rip after being held up slightly, so it was beautiful today.

“I sort of planned to have three, maybe four behind me in the run, but it didn't work out. But she was there for me at the finish.

“I was really keen, with how she went first-up, in the progression she made, just seeing her here in the yard. But she's had a really strong blow there today, so she's still on the improve.”

Lekvarte is trained by Joe Pride, who is now likely to give her an opportunity in the Group One Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2.

“She's a lovely mare and always has been,” Pride said. “It has taken her a little while to get to stakes grade, but as an older mare, the way she's racing now, you'd love to think there's another season in her.

“She's a really easy horse to deal with, quite aggressive but she's a dream to train and she loves this Randwick mile.

“There’s a fair few things to consider now – probably a trip to Melbourne. It’s only a couple of weeks away from the Group One for the mares, and I’d probably like to give her a go at that, to be fair.

Whether or not she’s quite at that level, I’m not sure, but it’s a good chance she’ll be there. I think Flemington, being similar in a way to Randwick, would suit her.

“But I’m very happy with that win today. She has gone terrific.”

Vendor	Westbury Stud
Purchaser	BK Racing & Breeding/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (New South Wales)
Breeding	Reliable Man – Plumm
Sale	Lot 181, Karaka 2020 Book 1, $210,000
Bred by	S Hume