Mr Intelligence scores smart win in Wingatui distance feature

[Wandering Eyes]

Consistent performer Mr Intelligence (NZ) (Niagara) displayed his love of a firm track surface when he proved too tough in a battling finish to the open handicap stayers feature at Wingatui, the Grand Casino (2200m). 

Having just her first ride on the Nikki and Barrie Blatch owned and trained nine-year-old, leading South Island jockey Tina Comignaghi produced a masterclass as she had him bowling along without a care in the world just behind the pace on the outer, after moving forward from a wide draw early in the piece. 

Pulled to the centre of the track shortly after straightening for the run home, Mr Intelligence quickly joined pacemakers Complicate and Quick Story before forging to the front with 150m to run. 

The late-closing local Mayor Of Norwood made a real race of it for the final few bounds, but Mr Intelligence had plenty in hand as he held on to win by a clear half length margin at the winning post. 

Co-trainer Nikki Blatch was thrilled with the win as she looks ahead to a bigger goal for Mr Intelligence early next month. 

“I think he deserved that as he has been very consistent throughout his preparation this time in and we knew once he struck the firm tracks he likes, he would be hard to beat,” Blatch said. 

“He won’t go an inch on wet ground, but he had been building his fitness nicely and is near his peak now. 

“Tina rode him beautifully as she never panicked and brought him into the race at just the right time.  

“He is such a lovely horse who is very tractable and has a good turn of speed that Tina employed with perfect timing.”  

The plan now is to give Mr Intelligence another shot at the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) on 1 March, a race where he finished runner-up in 2020 before having his career put on hold later that year when suffering the first of two tendon injuries. 

“We have been looking at the Dunedin Gold Cup, but I wasn’t sure if he would make the field without a win today,” she said. 

“Hopefully that is taken care of, and it would be such a thrill to win it after he has come back from injuring the same tendon twice. 

“The first time he did it he had nearly twelve months on the sidelines and when he did it again, we thought that was the end for him. 

“The vet said it was a longshot for him to come back again, so we put him the paddock and used him as a hack. He thrived and hasn’t looked back since so we are very lucky, he is still racing. 

“He is a joy to have around the stable as he is a complete professional and jus does everything you ask of him. 

“To win a race like the Dunedin Gold Cup would be icing on the cake for a wonderful horse.” 

Bred by Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham, Mr Intelligence was purchased for $4,750 off the gavelhouse.com website. He has now won nine of his 53 starts, including the 2021 Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m) at Riccarton, for just under $260,000 in prizemoney. 

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