Guineas goal for NZ Ustinov

Ustinov colt Amun Ra staked his claim for three year-old spring feature races while winning the Devon Oaks 1100 at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Amun Ra (NZ) was a fitting winner at the meeting which honoured Cambridge Lodge owner Ada Parnwell who died last month.  He is trained by Lee Somervell and is raced on lease from her estate.

Somervell prepared Fleur De Lune to win last year’s G1 Railway Stakes for Parnwell.  His sons Philip and Kurt are in the syndicate that races Amun Ra along with Cambridge Lodge admin manager Tarissa Mitchell.

“What a day, it’s such a thrill to remember Ada this way,” Somervell said. “I’ve got a lot of time for Amun Ra and he will have a brief let-up now.  I would like to think he’s a genuine prospect for the Guineas.”

Amun Ra (2c Ustinov – Jahan by Al Akbar) is a younger half-brother to Ellerslie stakes winner Civics Rock.  Second-dam Entanglement (Bletchingly) is a half-sister to G1 AJC Champagne Stakes winner I Like Diamonds.

Ustinov is a USA bred son of Seeking The Gold and Australian Hall of Fame mare Let’s Elope.  He was a G2 winner of the AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley and was also runner-up in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and G1 AJC Champagne Stakes.

Moorookyle Park near Ballarat stands Ustinov for a fee of $4,400 (inc gst).