30 Individual Winners by Gallant Guru

Wins by Kona and Rumpelstiltskin at Winton on Sunday (15/5/2016) brought up 30 individual winners in New Zealand  for Gallant Guru this season. The progeny of Gallant Guru have won 48 races and been 95 times places for $729,000 in stakes. Associate White Robe Lodge stallion, Raise The Flag, sired Flag The Groom, who posted his third win at Ashburton on Friday

Kona, who cleared maiden ranks at his third start for  the White Robe Lodge stable, is raced by Lorraine Anderton, who began an association with his family close on 40 years ago. She raced Valraine, the fourth dam of Kona, in partnership with Val Christophers. Brian Anderton had bred Valraine with the aim of producing a jumper but she was not the type and he gave her to Lorraine and Val.  Valraine (As Before- Golden Honey)  won them seven races and left Raineval to a mating with Noble Bijou. Raineval, who was unplaced in two starts, left Anquilla (by Random Chance), who won them eight. Anquilla in turn left Leeward Prevails (by Justice Prevails), who won three races. Kona is the first foal of  Leeward Prevails. Kona has been turned out for a spell, along with Gallant Ruby, Perceptive and Galella.

High Forty, winner of the NZ Grand National Steeplechase  for WRL  in August, has been entered for the steeplechase at Riverton on Sunday. High Forty has had two races in the flat in a fresh preparation. Michael Mitchell, who rode him in the National, has the mount.