SO YOU PENCE POISED FOR A KURRINDA CELEBRATION
SHE was one of the first horses purchased when Sean and Genevieve Driver launched a new bloodstock venture.
Now lightly-raced mare So You Pence is poised to give the couple’s successful Hunter-based Kurrinda Bloodstock business another major success in Saturday’s $2m The Kosciuszko (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Though The Kossie might not carry Group 1 status – which Private Harry achieved in last year’s The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens – it will be some story if the seven-year-old daughter of now deceased international star So You Think, who has faced the starter only 10 times (for five wins), leads the line-up of country-trained horses home.
Not simply because she was a very early Kurrinda purchase, but the hurdles she has overcome to be a racing force.
To say her ownership group deserves a Kosciuszko win to celebrate, given everything they have been through with her, would be an understatement indeed.
“We had paid $95,000 (Lot 298) for a yearling Capitalist filly Crown Guinea (who has won three races and is still racing for Stuart and Bayley Kendrick at the Sunshine Coast) at the 2021 Magic Millions sale at the Gold Coast,” Sean Driver recalled today.
“That was January, and the following month So You Pence was the only yearling we bought (for $125,000 as Lot 130) at the Inglis Premier sale in Melbourne.
“We had just started the business, and couldn’t afford any more.
“But there was something about her, and I liked the fact she was out of a sprinting mare (Larapineta) coupled with So You Think.
“She had big shoulders and beautiful balance.
“Every time she walked you were attracted to her. Her attitude was great.”
So You Pence has been trained during her career by Goulburn’s Matt Dale, and at her second start she broke through in a Moruya Maiden (1300m) against 13 rivals on December 18, 2022 as a $1.40 hotpot.
However, she wasn’t seen again on the racetrack for well over two years.
“So You Pence had a setback that had to be managed very carefully for quite a long time,” Driver said.
When she did come back, she ran second at Goulburn on March 11 last year, and quickly got back in winning groove, scoring twice (at Goulburn and then Wagga).
So You Pence went for another break after finishing sixth at Rosehill Gardens on May 31 last year on a heavy track, then resumed at Canterbury just over 12 months ago, and picked up a spot in The Kosciuszko after a runaway 920m lead-up trial victory at Moruya.
So You Pence drew wide in The Kossie and wasn’t disgraced when fifth at $21 to favorite Clear Thinking.
She then won the $250,000 Barn Dance (1300m) at Royal Randwick in early November, and remarkably has had only one start since.
“Matt was keen to take So You Pence to Brisbane for a Listed 1300m mares’ race at Eagle Farm the following month,” Driver said.
“She trialled at Kembla Grange and wasn’t far behind Private Eye, but unfortunately had a double nostril bleed.
“As a result So You Pence went back out and didn’t race again until she won at Randwick in late July.
“That didn’t come easy either as twice she had to overcome a foot abscess.
“Tim Clark rode her then, and was keen to stay with her in The Kosciuszko.
“Matt has purposely not started her again, but is very happy with her.
“She was too good for another of our mares Super Norwest (who scored on the Kensington track last Wednesday) in a jumpout about 10 days ago.
“He considers she is better now than when she won in late July, and has never had her better.
“Obviously a barrier between 3-6 would be ideal, but a wide draw won’t be the end of the world.
“So You Pence has the ability to put herself in a winning position.
“It’s exciting getting the opportunity to have another crack at The Kosciuszko.
“Given her limited racing career, her owners have been so supportive over many years, and it would be something very special if she can win for them.”
HOOFNOTE: Prior to the barrier draw, So You Pence is the $5 favorite, ahead of Band Of Brothers and Chidiac (James McDonald) at $6.
When So You Pence won the Barn Dance 12 months ago, Chidiac ran fifth, three lengths behind.
Aside from The Kossie, Kurrinda Bloodstock will have another interest in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup meeting.
Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle will start Hidden Motive in the Group 2 Sprint (1000m), and Rachel King rides.
“Hidden Motive’s last run a week ago when just beaten by the favorite Ice Kool in the Benchmark 100 Handicap (1000m) was fantastic,” Driver said.
“They ran very quick time and he is in super order.
“Down in weight at Caulfield, and if he gets a nice draw on a good track, he can run another great race.”
STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 12, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS
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