The superbly bred Terroir (Danehill – Lucky Be Lucky (Storm Cat)) snatched victory by a nose in the South Canterbury RC Eureka Trust Dash Rating 85 on Sunday, covering the 1200m in 1.11.18 on a track rated a good 3.

Beautifully named, Terroir is a French term in wine, coffee, and tea used to denote the special characteristics that geography bestowed on them.

Terroir, carried her ‘sense of place’; the lush green pastures of Pencarrow Stud, to the winners circle at the equally magnificent hill encompassed Phar Lap Raceway, Timaru, famous of course for breeding the true champion of the past, and appropriate for today, Melbourne Cup winner Phar Lap.

In the hands of Jason Waddell, Terroir jumped well and settled one out and one back in running. Travelling comfortably around the home turn, Waddell angled the bay mare out to the middle of the track and sprinted up to the second placed Cotes Du Rhone who was laying out on the bonny mare in the last 50 metres. The interference was not enough however to stop her nose being in front on the wire, a well deserved fourth victory from 22 starts from 1200m to 1400m.

Terroir will race next on the middle day Cup Week at Riccarton in the Listed Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes over 1400m. A win or place there will add tremendous value to the mare that already has a lovely family. By Champion Danehill, Terroir is the first foal of Lucky be Lucky by Champion Storm Cat, who herself is a half sister to Gr1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes winner Love Lock (Silver Ghost).

Pencarrow have retained Lucky Be Lucky’s 3yo filly Santangelo (Lonhro), and she has been placed at the trials for trainer Mark Walker. Lucky Be Lucky has a 2yo colt by Zabeel, and foaled a bay filly by Champion racehorse Darci Brahma on 11 August (see picture). Lucky Be Lucky visits top sire Pentire this season.