Kiwi contingent grows as Queensland features approach
Matt Markham - Raceform • June 20th, 2025 2:00 PM
The Kiwi attack on upcoming Queensland features couldn’t have begun any better last Saturday night, and it’s set to ramp up again this week with more heavy artillery arriving on Australian soil.
Both Oscar Bonavena and Rubira made perfect beginnings to their campaign with big first-up wins at Albion Park last weekend for Purdon Racing, and the Kiwi contingent multiplied this week with Rowe Cup winner Bet N Win, Pinseeker and Betterthancash trekking across the Tasman.
They’ll all step out at Menangle this Saturday night for a pipe-opener to their campaigns before relocating up to Queensland for the winter carnival, including the Inter Dominion Series at Albion Park.
For Bet N Win, it’s a shot at redemption after a trip to Queensland 12 months ago turned pear-shaped when the horse developed a stone bruise and took him out of a hunt for Group One glory for trainers David and Stacey White.
“Australia never got to see the best of him last time, and we’re hoping we can change that this year,” Stacey White told RaceForm.
Unsighted since his Rowe Cup win at Alexandra Park back at the start of May, Bet N Win has been ticking over quietly at both Bob Butt’s place on the beach and also at Stonewall Stud’s base in Rolleston, where David White works.
“He’s come up great, we’re really thrilled with him, he looks amazing and his final hitout before he flew out was as good as we could have asked from him.”
Bet N Win steps out in an open-class trot late in the night on Saturday, with Butt trekking over to drive him.
“It’s his first look at Menangle, but we’re confident it’s somewhere he will enjoy racing. Obviously it’s the first run for a while and the start of a new campaign, so there is improvement in him, but he’ll give a great account.”
White will be based with Australian horseman Chris Judd while in Sydney, fitting given the pair are cousins, and he’ll remain there for a week after Saturday’s run before heading up to Queensland to be based out of the property run by Vic Frost and Gail Gleeson where they stayed last year.
“It’s a great set-up and it has access to the beach, which Bet N Win really enjoys, so we’re lucky to be able to stay there.”
This time last week, Betterthancash wasn’t even in the conversation for a trip to Australia. But some fast work by his connections resulted in the Country Cup Championship winner joining the White stable for a campaign. His exact path is yet to be confirmed, but a tilt at The Rising Sun is a high possibility as is the Redcliffe Cup, a stand start event, which really suits given his excellent stand start manners.
“It’s an honour to be given the privilege of taking care of a horse like him, he’s done a wonderful job for Regan Todd and we’re really just carrying that on for him. David will learn a lot about the horse this week and we’ll be a lot better for it once we get to Queensland.”
Betterthancash’s arrival in the Whites’ care is almost a case of deja vu for the pair, given they took over the training of three-year-old Major Hot last year for many of the same connections and helped him to a Queensland Derby victory.
He’ll step out in the opener at Menangle on Saturday night and won’t have to look far to see a familiar face with Pinseeker drawn directly beside him.
Trainer Jonny Cox has been working away quietly with the big son of Downbytheseaside at home and he hasn’t been seen in public since his huge third, incidentally behind Betterthancash, in the Country Cup final after he started striking the wheel discs and over-raced.
“He’s taken no ill-effects out of that, in fact he came through it really well,” Cox said. “We’re looking forward to what is ahead, we know it won’t be easy, but just to be a part of it all will be incredible.
“This week will be a good hitout for him, I’d love to drive him for his high speed and hope they roll along in front of us, he’s pretty quick off the back of one.”
Pinseeker showed he was worthy of an Australian campaign with a bold effort in the Race by Betcha at Cambridge earlier this year behind champion pacer, and Inter Dominion favourite, Leap To Fame.
He’ll head north after Saturday night and be based out of the Michael Brennan stable while there, with Cox staying alongside the horse for the entirety of the trip.
After their impressive wins last week, Oscar Bonavena and Rubira are set to both be seen again before the winter carnival starts on July 5. Oscar Bonavena will have another hitout, potentially next weekend, while Rubira has the options of both the South East and Redcliffe Derbys before the Gr. 1 Queensland Derby on Inter Dominion Grand Final night on July 19.
