LOUIE FINN SMART ASHBURTON QUALIFIER
Louie Finn, a 3YO gelding by Grinfromeartoear, repeated his recent workout win by leading up from the stand start in his Ashburton 2400m qualifier on Tuesday, October 21.
In the hands of Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, Louie Finn maintained a strong run, holding by 1 1/2 lengths in 3:06 for the 2400m, quickening over his last 800m in 57.2s and final 400m in 27.3s.
“He won easy. He’s a nice horse,” Mark said.
Louie Finn, bred by Finnash Bloodstock, was an $11,000 buy at the 2013 NZ Premier Yearling Sales.
He’s the first foal from Miss C S D, a Christian Cullen mare who won once at two and ran third in Lady Warath’s 2005 Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies Final at Cranbourne, Victoria, for Ashburton trainer Laurence Hanrahan.
Lightly-raced having only nine starts, Miss C S D is from a good 1:58.5 Australian mare in Ladybird (by Panorama), who won 14 races, including five at Harold Park, earning $109,030.
Deans Special, a former Bendigo Cup and dual Victorian Italian Cup winner, is another good winner from the family, winning 27 races and earning $106,853.
Louie Finn looked ready to qualify when he led and won an unqualified workout pace at Rangiora on October 15 in 3:34 (2600m), quickening his last 800m in 57.2s and final 400m in 27.5s.