Prepared by Tony Pike, Whiskey Neat (image above from Race Images) was a hot favourite for the 1000 metre maiden and gave nothing else a chance when winning by daylight.
A $220,000 NZB Book One purchase for Waikato Bloodstock from the Koru
Thoroughbreds draft, Whiskey Neat was a successful pinhook having been bought by
Koru Thoroughbreds in Australia from the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for
$72,500 out of the Newgate Farm draft."He was extremely impressive," Pike told www.theinformant.co.nz. "He'd shown us plenty in his trackwork and his last trial was very good, so we were reasonably confident bringing him down here for his debut today, but funny things can sometimes happen with two-year-olds. It was really pleasing to see him go out and produce a performance like that."
Whiskey Neat may ultimately race in Hong Kong but for the time being will remain in New Zealand.
"He's owned in Hong Kong, but we were lucky enough to have the owner inform us after his last trial that he'd stay here for the time being with the Karaka Million in mind," Pike said.
"So that's the target, and some time in the next two or three weeks we'll confirm our path between here and Ellerslie in late January."
Whiskey Neat is the third winner from three foals to race from Ouija, a winning half-sister by Viscount to Group II winners Renaissance and Sessions from stakes-winner Seances, a half-sister to ill-fated Group I winner Unworldly.
The current yearling from Ouija is a colt by another of Lonhro's sons in Exosphere and will be offered by Fernrigg Farm as Lot 884 at the Gold Coast in January.
A value member of the Darley NSW roster standing at a fee of $8,800, Denman has the current star sprinter in Hong Kong in Hot King Prawn and looks to have another outstanding prospect in Whiskey Neat.
