by Mike Curry

Special Mission gamely turned back runner-up Culminate and third-place finisher Keepa Cruisin to win the $173,426 New Zealand Bloodstock Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (NZ-G1) on Saturday at Te Aroha and give 16-year-old jockey James McDonald his first Group 1 win.

McDonald earned his first career victory in August at Te Rapa aboard Johnnie The Sand.

“It's unreal," McDonald told New Zealand Racing News. "I thought about it last night and wondered if this could be the one.

"I knew she had a good chance, and when I went past the post I thought we'd won it."

Special Mission pressed pacesetter Sent To Sea from second into the turn in the 1,600-meter (7.95-furlong) turf race. The Towkay filly accelerated to the lead in early stretch and was fully extended under McDonald to hold off Culminate by a nose in the final strides.

Trained by Peter McKay for owners Ralph Maxwell and Frances Maxwell, Special Mission completed the distance on turf rated as good in 1:35.27 to earn her first career group stakes win.

Culminate edged fast-closing Group 1 winner Keepa Cruisin by a head to finish second in a blanket finish.

Special Mission was unplaced in the New Zealand Bloodstock One Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) on November 10 at Riccarton. She is out of the Khozaam mare Te Akau Trek.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor