Pluck (USA) sired his 8th first-crop winner in New Zealand on Wednesday with another talented type prepared by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

They produced Mongolian Wolf first-up in the Lion Red 2YO Maiden (1200m) at Tauranga and the Australian-bred colt was always in the firing line, albeit three-wide, to score by a neck from Southern Princess (Guillotine).

“He’s still got a lot to learn and he’s not a natural two-year-old,” jockey Matt Cameron said.  “But once I pushed the button he sustained a very good run.”

Mongolian Wolf is a stablemate of Group 1 Champion Mongolian Khan and they are members of a burgeoning tribe raced by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group.  His dam Oomaroo (Tale Of The Cat) is an unraced half-sister to G2 Surround Stakes winner Thump (Red Ransom) and he cost Rider Horse Group President Mr Lang Lin $200,000 at the 2015 NZB Ready To Run Sale.

Baker and Forsman targeted Pluck’s first crop and they’ve been rewarded with early-season star Gasoline and last-start winner Pluck That.  Gasoline was subsequently sold to Hong Kong and Pluck That can double up at Te Rapa this Saturday with Cameron aboard.

Pluck’s 8 winners to date have surfaced in Australia (4), NZ (3) and in South Africa where Aussie Austin’s win in a Turffontein Juvenile signalled more success with premier trainer Mike Azzie.

His (Aus) total equals Love Conquers All & Sidereus who are at the top of the Australian first-season winners’ list.  And his Kiwi trio put Pluck at the top of the NZ first-season winners’ list with Zacinto (GB).

Pluck stands alongside his sire More Than Ready at Vinery.  His first crop sold to $200,000 and his service fee looks a winner, looking ahead, at $9,900 (inc gst).