Get ready to witness history in the making! The New G1 Almanzor, First Five, has just etched his name into the annals of racing glory by securing his first five wins, culminating in the prestigious G1 Telegraph at Trentham. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it sheer talent, or did the lucky number 10 saddlecloth play a role in his triumph? Let’s dive into the thrilling details that have everyone talking.
In a race that had hearts pounding, First Five, the towering son of Almanzor, proved his mettle by dominating the closing stages of the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m). Trained by David Greene, this victory marked Greene’s first Group One success, a moment he’s been chasing for years. And this is the part most people miss—Greene’s unwavering faith in First Five, even when the odds seemed stacked against them. After a stellar win in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, Greene boldly declared the Telegraph as the ultimate goal, and First Five delivered in style.
Rider Wiremu Pinn played a pivotal role, leveraging a favorable draw to position First Five right on the speed set by outsiders Lhasa and Party Rocking. The race heated up in the home straight when Navigator made a bold move, diving through the rail to take the lead. But First Five, racing three off the fence, wasn’t about to give up. As the duo battled it out, Grail Seeker emerged from the pack, adding another layer of drama. In the end, First Five and Pinn held a length advantage over Navigator, with Grail Seeker a neck further back.
Greene’s emotional reaction post-race spoke volumes. ‘This is unbelievable,’ he said, ‘thanks be to God as we have been waiting for a while (to win a Group One).’ His relief and joy were palpable, especially given his near misses at elite-level success in the past. ‘To win a Group One, weight-for-age race at Trentham, it doesn’t get any better than this,’ he added.
Here’s where opinions might differ: Pinn admitted to deviating from Greene’s instructions, opting to ‘wing it’ based on his own race analysis. ‘I had my own plans and didn’t quite listen to David’s instructions,’ he confessed. Was this a risky move or a stroke of genius? You decide. Pinn’s bold strategy paid off, but it raises questions about the balance between a rider’s intuition and a trainer’s expertise.
First Five, bred by Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor and out of the six-race winner Payette, carries the familiar colors of his breeder Gerald Shand, who co-owns him with Jenna McLeod and Jackie and Philip Rogers. With seven wins out of 19 starts and over $523,000 in prizemoney, he’s proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
As we celebrate First Five’s triumph, it’s worth asking: What’s next for this rising star? And how will his success shape the future of racing? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this thrilling victory and the controversies it’s sparked!
