Bullbars gelding Comin'through added to his impressive record over ground at Cup Day at Ellerslie today with victory in the last race of the carnival.
That made it two wins in a row (and three in his last five) for Comin'through who has really thrived with the step up to middle distance. Having always shown fight in his races, this is now coming to the fore against older and more experienced rivals.
It didn't come easy today though as victory was secured in the enquiry room after Blue Lagoon was adjudged to have impeded Comin'through late in the piece - enough for the nose margin at the line to be overturned in favour of Comin'through.
Although bouncing out well from his gate four draw, jockey Leith Innes and Comin'though were forced to race three wide in midfield for at least the first 600m; he maintained a midfield position until approaching the turn where Innes pulled out five wide to make his run. Early in the straight, he didn't appear to be making much headway, but when the whip was pulled he knuckled down in grand style to reel in his rivals. Blue Lagoon arrived on his inside, pushing through a narrow gap in the last 150m, and visibly put Comin'through off his stride. He got going again but was just nutted on the line.
The race was run similar to his previous victory where he had to cope with adversity, yet prevailed comfortably.
Bred by Gillovic Bloodstock and sold at the NZB 2015 Ready to Run sale to Donna Logan for $55,000, Comin'through's dam is Commendable, who was a multiple winner in Queensland - which just might be where Comin'through heads to now. Donna Logan had indicated after his last victory that Queensland might the next option; a sensible one as, like many of the Bullbars, he is getting better as he ages and can cope with a little give in the track which often prevails at the Carnival.
All going well, Bullbars may soon have his first Derby winner. He has had a three-year-old win over 2,400m in Australia earlier in the year. His first three-year-old crop have shown a winning range from 1,000m to 2,400 and an ability to win on most track conditions.
Photo Credit - Race Images Palmerston North
