THE Snippets horse Pins continues to provide evidence that he is one of the very best stallions in New Zealand.
The latest advertisement for Australian-bred Pins (Snippets-No Finer, by Kaoru Star) is the three-year-old filly Porotene Gem. On only her fifth start to a career that began in September, Porotene Gem stepped up to Group I level on Thursday to win the Levin Classic (1600m) for three-year-olds, at Levin, New Zealand.
The bay filly was too strong at the finish for race favourite Jokers Wild, by Black Minnaloushe. Porotene Gem ran 1 1/2 lengths clear of Jokers Wild and 13 others.
Lacking in race experience as she was, Porotene Gem was also at a physical disadvantage as she was still a two-year-old by birthdate, being an early December foal.
Stratford, New Zealand, residents Anne and Kemp Broughton bought Porotene Gem for just $NZ5000 at the 2004 New Zealand National Broodmare and Weanling sale. Porotene Gem has since returned more than $NZ140,000 for her owners, the Levin Classic being her third win.
Her long-term mission now is the Group I ARC New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in Auckland next March -- scene of Legs' win in the classic last March.
Legs, by Pins, is trained by Kevin Gray, who is also guiding the career of Porotene Gem. Legs again confirmed her class in September, beating the best around in New Zealand's richest race, the Group I HBJC Kelt Capital Stakes (2000m).
Porotene Gem is the fourth Group I winner for Pins, himself winner of the Group I VRC Australian Guineas.
Pins is also the sire of El Segundo and Econsul. The latter will take up a stud career at Lindsay park, South Australia, next spring.
Porotene Gem is one of six foals but the only black-type winner of five winning foals from the US-bred Rubyfoo, by the former New Zealand-based Northern Dancer horse, Danzatore.
Rubyfoo, which was unraced, is from the Miswaki mare Moonbeam McQueen, a three-quarter sister to the Italian Group III winner Johnny Stecchino. Moonbeam McQueen is also the dam of Adelaide winner Renano Brightia.
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