Three-year-old filly Family Ties capitalised on a patient ride by champion apprentice Joe Kamaruddin to win the Transport/Hatuma Lime 3YO Maiden (1300m) on Sunday at Hastings.
Having produced a good debut effort for third in a maiden won by subsequent Group Two winning stablemate Wild Night, Family Ties sustained a strong finish in centre track to score by three-quarters of a length from runner-up Cruz Missile.
“It was a nice win and I think she has good staying potential to get over a lot more ground,” Walker said.
“She was third in a strong maiden won by Wild Night with stakes performer Mr Mojo Risin' second.
“We're having a fair bit of luck with the progeny by the young sire Contributer and we really like him as a stallion.”
In the past week, Te Akau celebrated wins by Contributer mares Campionessa, who won the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m), and dominant maiden winner Elounda, both products of Mapperley Stud.
Family Ties was purchased by David Ellis for $60,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud and is out of the multiple winning Pins mare Glamazon.
“We thought she was very good value at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said.
“We've been impressed by the stock of Contributer, and the stallions on her dam side – Pins, O'Reilly, and Star Way are top all-round sires.
“She's got a great team of owners and made a really good start to her racing career.”
Ellis has enjoyed good success with purchases from the Ready To Run Sale, including the likes of Group One winners Gingernuts, Hall of Fame and Te Akau Shark along with stakes winners Amalfi Prince, Brando, Star of Bombay and Royal Success.
The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale will take place on Wednesday and Thursday at Karaka this week with more than 270 lots to go under the hammer, including Lot 104, a full-sister to Family Ties.
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