News

Destiny's Kiss Grafton Cup bound after win

15th Jun 2013

Thoroughbred News - Glenn Moore - Saturday, 15 June 2013

The Joseph Pride-trained Destiny’s Kiss is headed for the Grafton Cup after a strong win in the $85,000 Sydney Banana Wholesales Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Pride picked up Destiny’s Kiss in early 2013 after the gelding changed stables from Robert Smerdon and while the galloper showed promise it wasn’t until Pride stretched him to the 2000m that he really what he is capable of.

Ridden by Christian Reith, Destiny’s Kiss travelled one off the fence in worse in than midfield behind a solid tempo set by Cantonese (Parr).

Little changed in the run until approaching the turn when Catonese tried to skip away and Reith made his move into the race. Shortly after straightening Cantonese was under pressure and Reith found himself only a few lengths off the lead and in need of clear running.

Passing the 300m Reith hooked Destiny’s Kiss around the heels of a few runners and then asked him to go for home. Ghost Protocol (IRE) (N Berry) made a charge up the inside at the same time and it looked a race in two but over the final 100m Desitny’s Kiss pulled away to score a comfortable win.

The official margins were a length to Ghost Protocol with a further two lengths to Kaypers (Collett) in third. The overall time was 2.03.60 with the last 600m run in 37.63.

“I was tempted earlier on to out the blinkers on but stepping up in distance you just have to be a little conservative and bide your time and at the right trip today he showed he didn’t need the blinkers,” Pride.

“He was in an awkward position, he was a fair way back but he was able to make some ground between the 600m and 300m but where he got himself into striking position and on the post he was doing it well, ears pricked and untouched.

“There is a Winter Cup here in a few weeks time and then maybe on to Grafton because he qualified for Grafton with today’s win.

“I took Vision And Power up to Grafton a few years back and he came back and won a few group ones, I am not predicting that for this horse but we will go the path to Grafton.”

“He is little in stature but has a big heart,” Reith said. “When they have that they win races.”

Destiny’s Kiss is by Power of Destiny out of the Stravinsky (USA) mare A Fairy’s Kiss (NZ) and is owned by Nick Moraitis.

The son of Power Of Destiny could have been purchased at the Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale for as little as $8,000. Victory at Rosehill Gardens today took his earnings to $246,418.