Pounamu produced one of his typical storming finishes to account for a high-class field in the G1 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot, Western Australia, on 9 December.
The winner last month of the G3 Asian Beau Stakes at the same track, Pounamu became the fifth G1 winner for his sire Authorized and the second from his sires Australian crops. Held up in rear early, he made his move down the outside in the straight to win going away from Material Man and Achernar Star.
Pounamu was bred by his owner John Thompson, whose colours have been carried to numerous major victories in Australia and NZ, most notably by Diatribe in the 2000 G1 Caulfield Cup. The six-year-old is the first of only two foals, both winners, to race out of his dam Tangiwai, a daughter of Street Cry.
Authorized has enjoyed great success in Australia with his British-bred son Hartnell, winner of two G1 races and highly ranked on the World Racehorse Rankings. Authorized’s other G1 winner in Australia is the Godolphin-owned Complacent, who stands in New Zealand.
Authorized stands at Haras de Logis in France at a fee of €12,000 Oct 1, Special Live Foal.
