Shebang captures Countdown

Shebang (NZ) completed a juvenile double for Te Awamutu trainers Keith and Brendon Hawtin at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Le Bec Fin filly won the Countdown To Karaka Million Juvenile (1200m) on debut and her victory followed the win of stablemate Devour (Bachelor Duke) on Boxing Day.

“She worked up with Devour and there wasn’t much between them,” Brendon said.  “We had no doubt about her ability and we just thought her lack of experience might be the undoing of her.  She still did a fair bit wrong but the way she hit the line was encouraging.”

Shebang (2f Le Bec Fin – Spot Of Luck by Strike Diamonds) settled behind the leading trio on the home turn and finished generously down the centre of the track under Matt Cameron to get the better of the frontrunner Code Duello (Duelled) by a long neck.

The filly is owned by Te Kuiti breeder Paul Guise who also raced her full sister Elle Tresor with the Hawtins.  “The sister was quite smart as a two-year-old and ran second to Big River in the Wellesley and was fourth behind Banchee in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes,” Brendon added.  “We have outlined a similar programme for Shebang.”

Le Bec Fin (Tale Of The Cat) was bred by Peter and Philip Vela and is a half-brother to their champion mare Ethereal.  It’s also the family of champion sire Darci Brahma.  He won on debut by six lengths at Taupo before injury forced him into a premature retirement at Hallmark Stud.

Shebang’s victory follows on from the Vela homebred Deliciano who won at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.  She will carry their famous blue and white hooped silks in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final (2000m) on New Year’s Day.

Deliciano (Darci Brahma) is the first foal of G2 Great Northern Guineas winner Santagostino (Giant’s Causeway).  Her dam is a half-sister to the Vela bred G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Vapour Trail (Jetball).

Santagostino foaled a colt by Lonhro this year and Vela brothers bred her back to Pins.