Unique Ambition breaks through at Randwick

Five-year-old Tavistock mare Unique Ambition (NZ) (Tavistock) returned to winning form with a determined performance in the Midway Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick, delivering a timely result for trainer John Sargent and jockey Nash Rawiller.

The New Zealand-bred mare, who had been knocking on the door in recent runs, produced a strong finishing effort to secure victory, ending a frustrating run without a win and reaffirming her ability at metropolitan level.

Sargent has long held an opinion of Unique Ambition, and her latest success could prove a springboard towards more ambitious targets, with the trainer now eyeing potential black-type opportunities following the breakthrough.

“Nash worked it out perfectly,” Sargent said.

“Straight away when he walked the track Nash said he thinks with speed on you can come from anywhere.

“He rode her a treat and she deserved it as this horse has been a bit unlucky.”

Sargent said a trip to Scone in search of some black-type could be on the cards.

“Hopefully she can go and get some easier black type,” he said.

“Maybe Scone or somewhere like that, we’ll see what races are around.

“That’s her distance – a fast 1400m.”

Ridden with confidence by Rawiller, Unique Ambition settled well before finishing strongly over the concluding stages, a performance that suggested she is back to her best and capable of stepping up in grade.

“Her form didn’t do a lot to entertain her chances today but I sort of knew before the corner the way she was travelling,” Rawiller said.

“She came back underneath me early and gave me the feeling she was going to be competitive.

“So for that reason I elected to give her some room to build up her revs in the straight and I was surprised with how well she towed me up the rise and let down at the top of it.

“It was a really nice win.”

Unique Ambition was bred by Go Bloodstock and was offered by Curraghmore at Karaka 2022, where DGR Thoroughbred Services and John Sargent Racing bought her for $220,000.

From a 20-start career, Unique Ambition has now recorded four wins and two placings and banked A$244,325.

The dam of Unique Ambition is the unraced Thorn Park mare Key To Success (NZ), who is a half-sister to the Group Two winner and Group One-placed Lady Kipling (NZ) (Savabeel). Key To Success is the dam of two winners from three foals to race, including Hong Kong winner Soaring Tower (NZ) (Charm Spirit).