Our Abbadean (NZ) Scores Group 2 Win

Our Abbadean (NZ) (Lookin At Lucky), who could have been bought for $75,000 at the 2014 Select Sale, picked up a valuable Group 2 win in Saturday’s $100,000 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) at Awapuni.

Ridden by Danielle Johnson for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Our Abbadean raced well back in the small field before sprinting impressively in the straight to edge out the Group 1 performer Five To Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) by a head.

Johnson and the Autridge/Richards stable had also won the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at the same meeting with the Karaka graduate Avantage (Fastnet Rock).

Raced by her breeders the Llanhennock Trust, Our Abbadean has now had 22 starts for six wins, three placings and $143,635 in prize-money.

The Awapuni Gold Cup finish was dominated by Karaka graduates. Runner-up Five To Midnight was bought for $165,000 at the 2014 Select Sale and has earned $437,210. Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination), who won this race 12 months ago, finished third this year. He was bought for $20,000 at the 2011 Festival Sale and has won $354,325.