Jason Waddell guided Dawn Ghost to her first black type success yesterday with an impressive win in the Group II Waikato Times Gold Cup over 2400m at Te Rapa.
It was the John Sargent trained six-year-old grey mare's first win since New Year's Day 2010, when she won another GoldCup, the Hawke's Bay one at Hastings, although that stake of $15,000 was dwarfed by the $100,000 up for grabs yesterday.
But even bigger prizes could be in store for the daughter of Pyrus, with the mare nominated for the $100,000 Group II City of Auckland Cup, the $200,000 Group II Wellington Cup and the $500,000 Group I Auckland Cup.
John Gray took up the early lead with Seaflyte before last year's winner Bruce Almighty was sent forward to be handy early as the field spread out down the back straight with favourite Prairie Star drifting out to the tail.
Don Domingo also worked forward with The Terminator to join John Gray as they turned for home.
Dawn Ghost got blocked for a run in the Counties Cup, but she worked clear midway down the straight and came with an irresistible run down the centre of the track to win by a length and a half.
Unfancied Sum Up nosed out another outsider Castle Heights, as they stayed on to take the minor placings from Terminator, Six O'Clock News and Don Domingo.
Mathew Cameron won his third race of the day when guiding Lady Kipling home in the other Group II event on the day, the Cal Isuzu F&M Stakes, a weight for age race over 1600m.
The Murray Baker trained daughter of Savabeel outlasted favourite Sheez Sinsational with rank outsider My My Maree grabbing third and rewarding her backers with $14.20 for the place.
The other two Listed races went to Travino (Wentwood Grange 2YO Stakes) and Mydiamond Bracelet (AG and Turf Sprint).
