26 Jul 2023Tavistock four-year-old Aikhal has proved to be a smart piece of business for trainer and part-owner Emma Hubbard.
Our graduate son of Tavistock had his second start for her Strathalbyn stable at Murray Bridge and followed up a resuming third with a convincing performance to win over 1200 metres.
“He came onto the market and I really liked him so we got him through a private online sale for A$7000 and he’s repaid the faithful,” Hubbard said.
“We bought him in December last year and put him in the paddock for five months and didn’t do much with him and now he’s come back it’s full steam ahead.”
Aikhal was sent out a short-priced favourite and his supporters had no concerns after he jumped quickly to settle kindly in third spot and one off the fence.
The four-year-old took control early in the run home and sauntered clear to win by a widening three lengths.
“He’s a sound horse, who has just needed time and will get out to a distance later on,” Hubbard said.
We initially sold Aikhal at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $20,000 to the Hong Kong-based Simple Bloodstock Solutions and he placed in one of two starts for Victorian trainer Symon Wilde before successfully relocating to South Australia.
Aikhal is out of the late Keeper mare Diamonds Forever, who was a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas placegetter Capital Diamond and she in turn produced the multiple stakes winner Gift Of Power.
From the famed Eight Carat family, Diamonds Forever’s prolific upfront pedigree page includes the Group 1 winners Octagonal, Mouawad, Kaapstad, Don Eduardo, Tristalove, Marquise, Shower Of Roses, Viking Ruler and Danewin.