McKay pair to the fore at Counties

21st Nov 2011

Matamata-based trainer Peter McKay landed at black-type double at Counties on Saturday with Undiscolsed (NZ) (Pins) in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) and talented two-year-old Travino (General Nediym) in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes (1100m).

McKay was somewhat surprised with four-year-old gelding Undisclosed’s determined performance, as he was not originally targeting the race with him.

"It's a little bit of a surprise,'' said McKay.

"I've always known this horse had plenty of ability and when they left this field open, I went through it and saw there were only a couple of true open handicappers and thought he's as good as the rest, so I put him in.

"He was so well when he left the birdcage I thought he could go a good 1100m. I thought he might run second or third but this is great.

"I tried to market him at the end of his three-year-old season but no-one wanted him, and I thought if he could run second or third, they might want him. But they can pay a lot more now.''

Undisclosed (NZ) has now won four from thirteen starts including last year’s Listed Canterbury Stakes (1600m). 

Bred by Trevor Luke the bay gelding  is by Waikato Stud-based sire Pins (Snippets) from the winning Centaine (Century) mare Dare To Win (NZ) who has produced five winners including Listed Whangarei RC Northland Breeders’ Stakes winner Pin Up Boy (Pins).

Undisclosed (NZ) will now head to the Group Two Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie on December 3 with the possibility of a late entry into the Group One Telegraph Handicap at Trentham January 21. 

The win topped of a successful day for McKay who had earlier saddled Travino for his second win from four starts and first at stakes level. 

Travino is now likely to head to the Wentwood Grange Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa on December 10 and the Group Three Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day before heading to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.

"After the Eclipse Stakes there isn't a lot around here for him, and I shouldn't shy away from [the Magic Millions 2yo Classic] because you don't get a chance to run in a $2 million race very often,'' McKay said.

"If he's around the mark, he deserves his chance to go.''

"They've got to really be pretty good to go over but we'll keep it in the back of my mind and see what happens after this. We'll just watch what he's been beating first,'' McKay said.

"Te Rapa is three weeks and that's a good space, and that's probably what we'll do because it gives us the extra opportunity. From there it would be the Eclipse and if he happened to win that, we could have a go at [the Gold Coast].''