Ibaraki wins on debut

[Wandering Eyes]

New Zealand-bred gelding Ibaraki (NZ) (Darci Brahma) made the perfect start to his racing career on Wednesday running away for an impressive victory in the Vinery Stud Plate (1100m) at Canterbury.

The son of Darci Brahma had easily won a trial only five days earlier and justified the short odds ($1.50) to come out an impressive 1.69 length winner.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the three-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.

“He only had the one trial going back a while (ago) but he trialled really good that day and we looked after him and put him away,” he said.

“He’s just a big, raw sort of horse. He only trialled last week and he did everything right.

“Today he was a little bit tardy away. He had to do a little bit of work to get across and once he relaxed he came back nice.

“He’s a big, strapping sort of horse, but more to the point, he’s still a baby and he doesn’t really know what he’s doing yet.

“I think as preps go on, you’re going to find a nice horse. He’s definitely got the makings to be something.”

After a slow dispatch jockey Tommy Berry urged the Ibaraki into a prominent position, sitting outside of the leader in running.

He eased his way into the lead with 250m to go, and when Berry pushed the button, he gapped his competitors and cruised to an easy win.

Berry said the son of Darci Brahma will be better suited to a bigger track.

“He’s a horse we’ve always had a lot of time for, he’s been given time to mature,” he said.

“Today, thinking back on it, was the first time he’s been let off the bridle. In both of his trials he’s been well held on to because they’ve been on tracks that have been a bit chopped up.

“Sometimes on these tight tracks, they don’t get around them, they don’t feel as comfortable on them. But say you put them on Randwick with a soft track and let them travel for a bit longer, they let down and feel a lot more comfortable on soft ground.

“He’s definitely going to go through the classes and he’ll be better on a bigger track.”

Ibaraki was purchased by Garry Carvell under his Hiwi Bloodstock banner at the 2019 Ready To Run Sale when consigned by Kilgravin Lodge. He won his only trial in New Zealand when successful in his 800m heat at Matamata in March last year when under the care of Cambridge trainer Shane Crawford.

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