Pluck (USA) maintained his perfect strike-rate in New Zealand with Wehadadeal on Saturday.

The Vinery stallion sired Kiwi-based first-crop winners Gasoline, Pluck That and Mongolian Wolf last season.  The trio were his only starters across the Tasman and Wehadadeal kept that 100% record intact at Te Rapa.

He defeated short-priced favourite Tavidream (Tavistock) by a short-head in the Thebestlittlebookstore Maiden (1400m).  “The Plucks are doing well in Australia at the moment,” Rick Williams said.  “He’s actually a sprinting sire but this horse comes from a real staying family.”

Williams manages The Oaks Stud for Dick Karreman who bred and races Wehadadeal.  “The further he goes the better and we’ve thrown in a nomination for the New Zealand Derby.”

Wehadadeal (3g Pluck – Gazumped by Darci Brahma) is from an unraced daughter of LR Thomas Elder Stakes winner Upstaged (In the Wings).  She was also runner-up in a Listed Ballarat Cup and Group 1 Avondale Cup.

“He had led in his last two starts which didn’t suit,” Williams added.  “He got a good draw today and was able to take a sit to get the last crack.  It looked like a good field on paper so it’s good to get the win.”

The Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) will be run at Ellerslie on March 4.

WEHADADEAL