Kevin Stott enjoys Group 1 success in New Zealand with hot sprinter Grail Seeker

Kevin Stott enjoyed his most notable success since heading to New Zealand in October when the Royal Ascot-winning jockey partnered Grail Seeker to a comfortable success in Saturday's Group 1 Telegraph Stakes at Trentham.

Trained in partnership by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, the four-year-old filly notched her second consecutive win at the top level as she beat Sacred Satono by two and a half lengths, with Navigator close behind in third.

Ridden patiently at the rear of the field by Stott, Grail Seeker made her way though a gap late on before bursting clear in the six-furlong contest.

The winning rider said: “She was always travelling nicely. It was just about trying to find the right horse to take me into the race. Once I had a gap, she had a very good turn of foot and put the race to bed pretty quickly.

“She was pretty electric and it was push-button stuff for me on top. We went at a nice enough speed and she was comfortable in the soft ground. The team had her spot on for this."

The win completed a double on the Trentham card for Stott, having earlier been successful in a mile maiden aboard Grahams Pride. He has now ridden 12 winners in his stint in New Zealand. 

Another rider well known to British racing fans was successful at New Zealand’s other meeting on Saturday when George Rooke rode a treble on the eight-race card at Te Aroha.

Rooke, who has ridden 18 winners since relocating to New Zealand last year, has the prospect of a big-race mount after Tale Of The Gypsy scored by a length and a half on her debut in the five-furlong maiden. She is now being aimed at the valuable Karaka Millions 2YO this month.

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