International double for Equiano

Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano (Ire) sired a promising Pakenham winner on Friday and he doubled up with another stakes winner overnight in Ireland.

Devil’s Pinch unleashed a brilliant burst in the straight to snare a narrow victory in the Hygain Maiden Plate (1000m). He was racing on debut and was in commission at $4.80 after being placed in a Randwick trial in February.

The Peter Moody trained three year-old is the latest winner from Miss Shakira (Snippets) following LR Redelva Stakes winner Tropic Thunder (More Than Ready). Moody went back and bought the mare’s Equiano yearling filly for $45,000 at the Melbourne Premier in March and she is due to deliver another Equiano foal in the coming weeks.

Devil’s Pinch has been nominated to back-up for the Super VOBIS 3YO Hcp (1300m) at Sandown Hillside next Wednesday, August 12.

Equiano colt Waipu Cove was back in action after a six-day break to win the LR Canford Cliffs Stakes (1500m) at Tipperary on Friday. He had won a Galway maiden by three lengths last Saturday.

Waipu Cove is the fifth stakes performer by Equiano after getting the better of a decent field that included Ballydoyle’s odds-on favourite Port Douglas (Galileo).

“The handicapper upped him 18 pounds after that maiden but we still took the chance to run today,” stable spokesman Shane Lyons said. “The ground is like a gluepot and he hated it but Colin (Keane) said his heart got him through.

“We will take a deep breath now after two quick runs. We’ve always thought a bit of him at home and he will get a mile, no problem.”

Waipu Cove cost owner Sean Jones 55,000gns (AUD 97,140) at the 2014 Tattersalls October yearling sale. He is the first foal of G2 Royal Ascot Queen Mary Stakes winner Langs Lash (Noverre).

Devil’s Pinch and Waipu Cove were both bred by Newsells Park Stud and Equiano shuttles from the Hertfordshire nursery to Swettenham Stud for a $13,750 (inc gst) service fee.