Andrew Carston pictured with Strowan, strapper Chris Butt, jockey Kozzi Asano and co-owners Clive and Lesley McCall. Image: Riccarton Park Racecourse
Carston Racing Stables fittingly won both the New Zealand Bloodstock sponsored races on the card at Riccarton Park Racecourse on Saturday with two graduates of the sale company.
Miss Federer was the first to salute in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race for two-year-olds over 800m.
The daughter of Swiss Ace was purchased by Carston out of Bradbury Park’s 2018 Karaka Book 2 draft for $10,000.
“I knew a little bit about her mother because she was a South Island-trained horse that had a bit of ability and I like Swiss Aces and I was looking for an early runner and most of them run a bit,” Carston said.
“She’s a little beauty. I’m really happy with her, I knew she would improve from her first run but it was good to get the win on the line and she just keeps improving.
With a third placing already under her girth Miss Federer has made a quick return for her syndicate of owners having already won $16,310 in prize money plus a $8,000 pearl series bonus.
“They’re a great group of owners who have been with me for a while including Janice Banks who I co-own Xpressmymind with, wwshe was my first Karaka purchase,” Carston said.
Carston, who won the 2018 Gavelhouse Newcomer to Training Award, paid $14,000 for Xpressmymind at the 2017 NZB Select Yearling Sale and the three-year-old has won $23,000.
Miss Federer will have her next run in the Listed Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton Park Racecourse on November 17.
The stable’s second winner on Saturday was NZB Ready To Run Graduate Strowan who won the NZB Ready To Run Sale Rating 65 (1200m) which included a special trainers prize worth $3,000.
“Strowan was my first Ready To Run purchase and second sales purchase overall,” Carston said.
“Clive McCall and his wife Lesley, approached me to go to Karaka and buy a horse for them. They’ve been with me from day one and they’re part of a great group of owners.
“It was also great for my apprentice Kozzi Asano to get his first win on him as he bucked him off last start.”
Cartson paid $30,000 for Strowan who was prepared for sale by Kilgravin Lodge in 2015. The son of Zacinto has since won $68,000 in prizemoney.
Cartson’s trainers bonus includes a travel and accommodation subsidy, an insurance policy and a float trip home from Karaka, for the Ready To Run Sale which he is eager to take advantage of.
“I’ve been studying the catalogue and breeze ups and I’m really looking forward to getting up to Karaka later this month,” Carston said.
“This is a great bonus and another example of the brilliant support New Zealand Bloodstock provides for young trainers. They really look after us and they want to help us which is what I like about them.”
