Son of Embellish romps home

Kevin and Stephen Gray unveiled a smart son of Embellish on the all-weather track at Awapuni where Exaggeration posted an impressive debut victory.

The three-year-old had been well schooled by the father and son training combination with five trial outings and had won the latest of those at Foxton before delivering at the first time of asking.

He tucked in behind the pace and bolted clear in the run home under rider Bruno Queiroz to score with an abundance of authority by two and a-half lengths.

Bred and raced by Kevin Gray with wife Kathleen, Exaggeration is the first winner for the Burgundy mare Classic Belt.

Her dam Minnie Belt won two editions of the Listed Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes and is a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Master Belt and the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup winner Buckle Your Belt.

Classic Belt, who was unraced, produced another colt by Embellish last season.

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