Inferno became the first mare in 139 years to win successive Canterbury Gold Cups with a colossal finishing run at Riccarton on Saturday.
Lurline was the previous mare to win successive Canterbury Gold Cups in 1872-73.The race is the oldest in New Zealand with a history dating to 1855 when staged at the first race meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club.
Apprentice Shankar Muniandy extended his wonderful record on Inferno, whom he has ridden in her nine wins.
Muniandy (24) brought up 100 wins when he rode Gallivant at Wingatui yesterday.
He is due to complete his time in November with the Wingatui stable of Brian and Shane Anderton, the trainers of Inferno.
He will spend a few weeks with the Gai Waterhouse stable in Sydney during the winter.
The Andertons won the Canterbury Gold Cup with Flight Point (2008) and Burton (2003).
Brian also trained the 1987 winner, Random Chance.
Inferno is raced by Brian and Lorraine Anderton, who bred her from a mating of Yamanin Vital and Emerald Fire.
Inferno stormed home from the rear of the field at the 400m to win by a length.
"I will spell her for five or six weeks while the weather is good and bring her back into work during the winter," Brian Anderton said.
"I will serve her with Gallant Guru and race her in the spring."
Ortem Fire, a stablemate and half-sister by Gallant Guru to Inferno, finished a close second to Asavant in the Warstep Stakes on Saturday. Her placing gave her the South Island Filly of the Year title.
She had won the listed 1600m race for 3yr-old fillies at Riccarton a week earlier. Asavant, winner of the Warstep Stakes, will now be spelled.
The daughter of Zabeel and Pins `N' Needles, is raced by Ryal Bush breeders Willie and Karen Calder.
"She [Asavant] is very like her mother, who was a lot better at 4 and 5," John Parsons said.
Pins `N' Needles won six races including the 2007 White Robe Lodge Handicap and Timaru Cup when raced by the Calders.
- tayler.strong@alliedpress.co.nz
