Exciting young stayer Maygrove (Authorized) achieved an impressive first stakes victory in the $200,000 Group 2 Platinum Homes Wellington Cup (2400m) at Trentham yesterday.

From the stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Maygrove has produced five wins from his 20 starts. The four-year-old gelding has had a stellar season, placing in seven of his nine starts this campaign including four wins with his last result running second in the Listed Gallagher Marton Cup.

“He has been very impressive,” commented Forsman. “Even when he raced in the Derby he was a very immature horse and is still a bit immature now but he is slowly getting there.

“He has always shown ability and we always thought he would be up to this level, it was just a matter of waiting for him and letting him do it in his own time. The key has been not rushing him and letting him come through the grades and finding soft options for him on his way through.”

Jockey Matthew Cameron rode Maygrove to victory after a steady start to the race with the pair going forward from barrier five. Cameron and Maygrove sat comfortably ahead of mid-field throughout the 2400m journey.

Challenging the rest of the field, Maygrove progressed forward and confidently headed for home for a two-length victory. Powering along the outside was Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) who took second place and She’s Insatiable (NZ) (Ustinov) finished in third position.

The son of Authorized earned $118,750 in yesterday’s victory, increasing his total stakes to $189,260 for Lib Patenga’s JML Bloodstock Ltd & P W O’Rourke.

“There are no immediate plans for him,” said Forsman. “He will go to the paddock for a couple of weeks now. There are no firm plans but the owners are keen to have a go in Australia at some point.

“We are very lucky to have the backing of Lib (Patenga) and Bruce (Perry), it is a big boost to us. Bruce buys very good horses, he does his homework and he is a good judge so you are a very good chance when you get one of their horses into the stable.”

Maygrove was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $110,000 at the 2012 Karaka Select Yearling Sale from Haunui Farm. Haunui Farm has 13 horses catalogued in this year’s Karaka Premier Sale which commences tomorrow.

Bred by Laurel Oak Lady Zhivago Syndicate, Maygrove is out of winning Zabeel mare Lady Zhivago (Zabeel), who is a three-quarter-sister to stakes winner Zaza (Zabeel), winner of the Listed South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.

Story from New Zealand Bloodstock

Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.