Abbey Drive Wins In Singapore
13 Nov 2006Having been knocking on the door in recent outings talented Pencarrow Stud-bred galloper Abbey Drive (NZ) (Zabeel x Grace And Power by Brief Truce) secured his first win at Singapore on Sunday with victory in the S$95,000 Class 2 (1800m) feature.
Having placed second in three of his four previous Singapore starts, the Laurie Laxon-trained galloper made a brilliant beginning out of the starting gates to establish a genuine tempo in the race.
Beyond a reminder at the 200m mark, Abbey Drive (NZ) had the race sewn up under a kind hands and heels ride from L Currie, eventually crossing a length in advance of this opposition.
Bred by Peter and Philip Vela of Pencarrow Stud in New Zealand, Abbey Drive (NZ) recorded three wins in New Zealand before his departure to Singapore and was considered one of the leading chances in this year’s Gr.1 Mercedes New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie after an impressive second placing in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
Regally-bred Abbey Drive (NZ) was purchased by Jillings and Yuill Racing Stables at the 2004 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sales from the Pencarrow Stud draft for $300,000.
Bred for success, Abbey Drive’s (NZ) grand dam Tatum Ergo (Tanfiron) is a half-sister to Benediction (Day is Done) who produced the world champion stayer Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel) and the black-type winner Matter of Honour (NZ) (Casual Lies).
Abbey Drive’s (NZ) dam, Grace And Power (Brief Truce), has already proved successful in the broodmare paddock. From her one earlier foaling, Grace And Power produced the Zabeel winner and Gr.2 placegetter El Bulli (NZ) and will offer a further Zabeel filly at the 2007 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka in January.