Cambridge based mare Lady Kipling (NZ) opened her latest campaign on a winning note at Awapuni on Saturday.

Lady Kipling (5m Savabeel – Akela by Al Akbar) made the most of a rails-hugging ride by Opie Bosson to finish over the top of Aldebaran Star (No Excuse Needed) and Pellegrini (Mr Nancho) in the Redcraze Bowl (1400m).

The high-class daughter of Savabeel might have fooled a few in the birdcage before going out to trump her open-class sprint rivals.  “She never really looks that fit but she has a fair bit of class and that showed,” co-trainer Andrew Forsman said.  “The Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Pukekohe is the next race we have planned for her.”

Lady Kipling has now won 8 of 25 starts with the highlight a G2 victory over Shez Sinsational in the Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa.  She also finished runner-up to Veyron in the G1 Haunui Farm Classic.

Senior co-trainer Max Baker bought Lady Kipling for $62,500 from Windsor Park at the 2009 NZB Karaka Select yearling sale.  She is an older half-sister to Trentham stakes performer Lady Chapel (King’s Chapel).  Their dam Akela has foaled fillies by High Chaparral and Thorn Park in the last two years.