Kissinger Scores Effortlessly In Pakenham Cup

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After Bellini Miss’ excting win last night, we didnt have to wait long for our next big thing to celebrate; Kissinger scored an emphatic victory in the LR Pakenham Cup.
What a revelation he has been for us. A Tavistock gelding we identified in NZ on the back of a Maiden and BM65 win, Kissinger was brought over here with a a staying future in mind. Pie in the sky was to get him competitive in the classics but we’d settle for Country Cups and yesterday we were wrapt to see him pick up his first. Dare say it won be his last if he can stay sound and healthy.
Kissinger is a testament to his trainer, Lindsey Smith who has kept him in work since March and he is only now starting to stamp himself as a force to be reckoned with. In fact The Pakenham Cup win was start number 12 this time in! Lindsey manages to keep the horse happy and interested and most importantly rock hard fi and the results speak for themselves.
If not for the length of his nose, he would be 4 straight from his last 4and it’s no coincidence Damien Oliver has made a significant difference having partnered him at all those outings. There aren’t many horses Damien doesnt get along with but his relationship with Kissinger is particularly noticeable. He just lets the big boy do his thing in the run and saves him for his big finish. Yesterday was a clinic. It was actually Damien’s 4th Pakenham Cup victory.
Although the Good 3 was a big query, the forgiving cushion surface made life easier for Kissinger and the punters didnt miss him either, sending him out a solid favourite. With him racing in this rich vein of form, we have our sights set on the Bagot Hcp, a Listed race over 2800m at Flemington on New Year’s Day. Hopefully he can keep on his merry way and bring in the new year with a bang!

Kissinger Keeps On Keeping On

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He’s been up since May but tough gelding Kissinger just keeps turning up and is racing in career best form at the moment. This made evident by a terrific win on Cranbourne Cup day today. It was his 11th run-in but he’s superbly managed by Lindsey Smith at home and he presents the horse rock hard fit and in great order. Combining with Damien Oliver at his last 3 outings has also been most beneficial 2 wins and a 2nd.

Today Ollie rode one out of the Jockey’s manual. He had the 7yo on the fence behind the leaders for the 2540m event. Although the big boy got a bit fired up when he saw the crowd the first time in the straight, he relaxed beautfully after that. He took some encouraging when they sprinted but gained momentum to be ready to pounce when the game came. Once it did, Ollie presented and Kissinger finished best to score. Port Phillip who nosed him out at Caulfield last start with a 1kg advantage could only manage 3rd today this time conceding 4.5kg.

It was a terific win under the circumstances with Cranbourne not really a track which works in his favour. We willmore than likely head to the Pakenham Cup then aim for the Bagot Hcp at Flemington, a race which looks ideal for him!

Kissinger is only lightly raced with 6 wins and 7 placings from 24 starts. The win today took his earnings to over a quarter of a million dollars. Congratulations to all connections!

CRANBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 12: Damien Oliver riding Kissinger winning Race 3, the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon, during Melbourne Racing on Cranbourne Cup Day at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Connections of Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Connections of Kissinger (NZ) after winning the Reed Cranes & Transport Marathon Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on November 12, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Kissinger Video Update

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KISSINGER IS FLYING HEADING INTO 2021

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Kissinger Video Update

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Diplomatic when suggesting Kissinger will win again

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Kiwi gelding Kissinger will have his next start at Flemington on Stakes Day after posting the first of what will be many wins for Spicer Thoroughbreds and Nigel Tiley.

The Group 1-winning jockey turned trainer identified Kissinger, which he trained in New Zealand for two wins from three starts, as an ideal horse to kick off the trans-Tasman partnership.

“Nigel downsized his stables during the COVID-19 pandemic but, due my relationship with him, we were able to secure 50% for our clients to race in conjunction with Nigel’s owners,” Brad Spicer said.

“It was great to have our joint venture with Nigel Tiley Racing come to fruition today at Warrnambool.

“Kissinger won by four-lengths, though that could have been doubled had (jockey) Michael Rodd released the brakes.”

Warrnambool-based trainer Lindsey Smith has had Kissinger for three Australian starts and he has shown improvement with each run.

“Lindsey has loved the way the big horse has settled into Australia and says Kissinger has so much raw talent that there is a nice race in him next year when the penny drops fully,” Spicer said.

The next target for the five-year-old son of the ill-fated stallion Tavistock is the $150,000 Very Special Kids Pin and Win Handicap over 2000 metres at Flemington on November 7, before a possible country Cups option.