Tenfoot Tall bulletproof in Kiwifruit Cup

A patient ride by Jasmine Fawcett resulted in Matamata mare Tenfoot Tall (NZ) (Staphanos) handsomely rewarding her many supporters when she took out the Seeka Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) at Tauranga on Saturday.

The Vicki Prendergast-prepared four-year-old was having her first start beyond 1600m and was confidently backed into the $3 Fixed Odds favourite for the contest off the back of a strong finish over a mile at Matamata.

Fawcett summed the race up nicely as she had the daughter of Staphanos relaxed beautifully towards the rear of the nine-horse field before slowly moving into contention wider out as the leading pair of Erase (NZ) (Wrote) and Heza Sharp One (Castelvecchio) headed to the centre of the track rounding the home turn.

Heza Sharp One and Whatthemansaw (NZ) (Almanzor) were fighting out the finish when joined by Tenfoot Tall and the mare slowly eased clear to win by just on a length from Heza Sharp One and Whatthemansaw, who were clear of the rest of the runners.

Prendergast was delighted to get a win on the board with her charge who looks set for a profitable winter given her penchant for wet tracks.

“She deserves a win this horse as she tries so hard,” Prendergast said. “After her last race she looked like she wanted distance and we’ve always known that as she is a big weak mare and we decided it was time.

“She is a winter horse so we will make the most of the wet ground while it is around.”

Fawcett had a cheeky grin on her face as she explained how the race panned out and a special offer from the excited owners of the mare she would have to forego.

“I was quite happy to be following the Rogerson runner (Heza Sharp One) as I felt he would take me all the way to the post and that is exactly what happened,” she said.

“The owners are thrilled and have just invited me over for a drink in the winners’ circle, which I don’t think is quite a good idea.

“She is a class horse when she handles the track and I’m quite excited with what she has to offer.”

Bred by Luigi Muollo under his Azzurro Breeding Ltd banner, Tenfoot Tall is out of the Keeper mare Anisette (NZ) and comes from an extended family that includes Gr.1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) winner Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi) and the five time Group One-winning mare Horlicks (NZ), who created international recognition for the New Zealand thoroughbred when winning the 1989 Japan Cup (2400m).