Vi Et Animo Wins Methven Cup (Sunday 9th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
Southland owned gelding Vi Et Animo returned to winning form today when he easily won the $35,000. Mountain Rivers Processors Limited Methven Cup.
From the 30 metre mark and driven for the first time by Australian reinswoman Natalie Rasmussen, the gelding settled back in the eighteen horse field before getting on the back of race favourite Franco Emirate in the three wide train with a lap to run. Rasmussen eased him out at the top of the long Methven straight and he ran home nicely to easily beat outsider Wee Brother by three lengths.
It was the six year old's third start this season. He had finished sixth behind Power Of Tara in the Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington and thirteenth in Monkey King's Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.
Today's run was the first for new trainers Mark Purdon and Grant Payne's stable. "We've had him since Oamaru. Brent (Shirley) said he couldn't afford to travel away with him. It took him a week to settle in with the change of environment but he's okay now," said co-trainer Mark Purdon. "His work on Wednesday was good. We worked him with a pacemaker. He appears to have a lot of speed and could run good sectionals. I haven't asked Brent how he trained him I've just asked him to do the work the way I'd expect from a horse like him."
Vi Et Animo
The gelding is owned by Wayne and Allison McCulloch and Mary Jane Thomas and as a three year old was unbeaten in his first seven starts. He has a bit of a mixed record over distances between 3000 and 3200 metres but has won the Invercargill and Wyndham Cup over 3200 metres. Today's win was his seventeenth and he's now won over $230,000.
It was Natalie Rasmussen's first win in New Zealand and her first on a grass track. Her first drive in this country was on champion pacer Blacks A Fake in the Interdominions at Alexandra Park last season. The gelding ran fourth and second in the heats before finishing third in the final behind Smoken Up and Themightyquinn.
She has driven over 700 winners in Australia. She was the first reinswoman to win an Interdominion Championship and the first reinsperson to win four Interdominion Championships with the same horse - Blacks A Fake. She expects to retain the drive on the gelding as he heads to Ashburton. Purdon says he may start at Kaikoura before running in the New Zealand Cup.
Natalie Rasmussen with Blacks A Fake
Prior to today's win, Tact Hayley was the most recent Southland owned horse to win the Methven Cup. The last Southland trained horse to win the race was Chipaluck in 1986. She was trained by Ronnie and Charlie MacDonald at Myross Bush.
Meanwhile star Southland mare Beaudiene Bad Babe is also in Canterbury. The Badlands Hanover mare was retired last season and is currently at Wai Eyre farm where she will be served by Bettor's Delight.
Beaudiene Bad Babe
She won twenty two races from forty two starts and banked $404,898. for the estate of Peter Ryan. Her biggest win was in the 2010 $200,000 Group One Nevele R Stud 4 yr old Diamond at the Harness Jewels in Cambridge.
Texas Unbeaten In The South (Sunday 16th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
Ohoka Texas maintained his unbeaten record in Southland when he easily won the McNaught Engineering Junior Drivers Mobile Pace for Regan Todd.
Last season as a three year old he won at Invercargill and Wyndham before winning the Group Three Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final at Ascot Park.
Now trained by Mark Jones, the four year old entire was taken to the lead by Todd and held off a brave Matt Maguire by half a length. The 1609 metre journey was cut out in 1-54.1 which equals the eight year track record held by Nuclear Bryd.
"I was a bit suprised he held up in front so well from barrier one because there was a pretty good chance of getting crossed before Glencoe VC galloped. So we were pretty lucky there," said Todd. We put the acid on at the 600 and he's just one of those horses that keeps on trucking. It did feel as though they were going a bit but he''s the type that you just have to keep rolling."
The Christian Cullen four year old is owned by Katy, Libby and Adam Carville. Libby and Katy were on course today to see the win. Todd says Ohoka Texas is likely to race over cup week in Christchurch.
Today's win was his seventh from just fourteen starts and he has now won close to seventy thousand dollars.
Okoka Texas, Regan Todd and Katy and Libby Carville James Jubb - Envious Photography
Star Hits South (Sunday 16th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
It's early days but Southland may have seen a new rising young pacing star in Smiling Star.
The Grinfromeartoear gelding easily accounted for eight C1 rivals in the Highview Stud/Justa Tiger Mobile Pace at Winton today, beating Donegal's Guest by one a half lengths. It was his third win from as many starts.
The drive by Robbie Holmes oozed confidence. After trailing Best Knight Eva, Holmes elected to sit the three year old outside Spectacular who took over the lead from about the 1200.
"His form to date has been impeccable. It was a matter of keeping him out in the open and out of harms way. Around the first bend I wanted to get him off and free wheeling a bit. As soon as I asked him to run home at the top of the straight he felt good," said Holmes.
Holmes broke Smiling Star in after he was passed in at the yearling sales. He qualified in July as a late two year old at Rangiora and won another trial at Addington.
It was at that point that an outside offer was made to buy the horse so Holmes put a syndicate together (The Forever Smiling Syndciate) so the youngster could be retained in the stable.
He impressively won a maiden event at Addington at the end of last month then stepped up to beat some classy three year olds in a Sires Stakes heat at Forbury Park 14 days later. His time over the 1700 metre mobile of 2-03.1 was a track record for three year olds.
Today's win was part of the bigger plan to qualify Smiling Star for the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final later in the season.
"That was the plan. He has to come down again to secure a place in the final."
Although he was impressive Holmes expects further improvement in the gelding
"It's nice to see them lose their winter coat completely but he's hanging onto his. Personally I think there's some improvement in him. At home he only does what he has too. He's matured a lot in his racing. He's responded to the pull down blind really well and when the plugs come out again he responds. The one thing he hadn't done was to run a quick quarter so we went round home one day and he certainly delivered. We haven't raced a lot of three year olds but it's fair to say he's right up there."
Robbie Holmes, Smiling Star and members of the Forever Smiling Syndicate
And the immediate target?
"There's the Sire Stakes heat on the 29th (October) at Addington and that should tidy him up for the big race ($200,000 NRM Sires Stakes Final). I want to keep at him a bit only because he's inexperienced. I think with the ringcraft he's got now it's probably fair to say he's clicked on. But he's not one that you can leave in the paddock because he's likely to go outwards (put on weight) and you can lose them like that."
Smiling Star's time of 1-55.5 was a new track record for three year old colts and geldings, beating the previous record of 1-56.3 held by Givethejobtobob.
Ardghal Speeds To Impressive Win (Sunday 16th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
Ardghal got the draw. A welcome change of luck when he proved too strong for twelve rivals in the Wairio Hotel Mobile Pace at Winton today.
At his previous start in a Sires Stake heat at Forbury Park he got stuck behind Jerry Fitz who was unable to hold his position behind the mobile. Consequently he lost lengths at the start but still finished sixth behind a classy field of three year olds.
"I think drawing number one today was the key. He loves being out in front and that was the plan after we saw what draw he got," said co-trainer and part-owner Katrina Price.
It was also a heady drive from Nathan Williamson who ran the field to the 800 metres in just over a minute before powering home in a slick 56.5.
Last season Ardghal looked a more than handy two year colt winning two races but it was decided to geld him at the end of the term.
"After the way he went in the Jewels we were not going to muck around with him as a colt. We thought it might make him a bit more genuine. To be fair we do have so many fillies at home and having a colt, even a well behaved one, is just a hassle. Last year he used to over race a bit in behind but he's been good this season and as long as he can do that he'll be fine."
John and Katrina Price, who share in the ownership of Ardghal now plan to head to Canterbury and race at Ashburton on Thursday 10th November.
"We're looking at the Sires Stakes Silver at Ashburton and the Supremacy Stakes later which looks like being a really good competition this year."
Ardghal, the Price family and Nathan Williamson.
Scotty Mach, trained by the Prices finished fourth in the 2008 NRM Sires Stakes Silver while Roger and Katrina won the Southern Supemacy Stakes in 2006 with Looksaflyer, a half brother to the dam of Ardghal.
"We have an Art Major sister to Ardghal in the sales this year. She's a nice big filly. The mother Albertina does leave nice big strong types. She's had three to the races for three winners."
Jimmy's Runner (Wednesday 26th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
It's taken thirtysix starts but Wave Runner finally cleared maiden ranks at Riverton yesterday when he beat favourite Freemason in the Macca Lodge Pace.
Trainer Jimmy Bond doesn't train too many horses these days but he's persevered with the five year old which is raced by his wife Colleen and nephew Keith.
"I've always thought he had a lot of ability and would have won one last year but he's just let us down. He's got a bit stronger this year and he finally got one today," said Bond.
Wave Runner lead early before giving the lead up to Freemason. But Freemason lost his concentration at the 1800 metre and allowed Wind Runner to lead again.
"That's the first time he's been in front. I've always thought he'd be better in front but we've never been able to get there to try it. He's just a standing start horse so we'll just keep looking for a stand with him."
Freemason got within three quarters of a length of Wave Runner at the finish with Don't Talk a further one a quarter lengths back in third.
The Fitz Feed (Wednesday 26th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
After four disappointing runs in the new season Whiterig trainer Ross Wilson has put his three year old Jerry Fitz on a new feed regime and it seems it's had winning results at the Riverton meeting yesterday.
"He just wasn't eating that well and wasn't happy.We've changed his food and he's picked up. He's seemed to have a dislike for the sweet feed I was feeding him so I changed to another brand and now he's eating everything and he's just a different horse" said Wilson.
Jerry Fitz, which started from the second line got a nice run through after the mobile dispatch and hopped into the one one. He then sat parked before driver Adam Sanderson took him to the lead at the 1100 metres. From there Sanderson controlled the speed, outsprinting Mossdale Logan and favourite Its My Life.
Wilson says the Live Or Die gelding isn't a natural front runner and tends to get a bit lazy when he's in front.
"He's not really a genuine racehorse yet. Adam said he was waiting on them today. Even in his work at home he'll wait for the other horse. He seems to like a bit of company when he's in front."
The immediate plan for Jerry Fitz is to head to Ashburton.
"We're eligible for the Sires Stakes Silver so we may take him there with Rob's Ideal. We'd probably be just amongst the runners but it's quite good money for just lining up." After that he says the end of season goal is the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes.
Jerry Fitz is owned by Wilson, his wife Yvonne and children Chris, Robert and Monica. He has now won three races from twelve starts.
The win was one of three for junior reinsman Adam Sanderson. He also scored on Betty Cuthbert (his first trotting winner) and Lite Jagermeister.
Spectactular (Wednesday 26th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
It was a gem of a drive from Brent Barclay to get Winton colt Spectactular home in the Ryder Plumbing Ltd Mobile Pace at Riverton yesterday.
The three year old is one of the early season finds in the south and his time of 2-43.2 for the 2200 metres would indicate that he has a few more wins in him yet.
"The time was super. We're just trying to work him out. The two runs (when) he's been beaten have been by two very good horses (Canardly Lover and Smiling Star). He's also lead and done a bit, so the plan (today) was to give him a bit of cover so he could just run home. It worked and it was a good drive by Brent (Barclay) getting him off when he did," said trainer Trevor Proctor.
After running second on debut he won his next start at Northern Southland before a disappointing run at Wairio finishing sixth.
"We had Tommy Behrns (horse chiropractor) down on the Monday after the mile day at Wairio and he found that his back was out in three places. The horse also had a murphy blind on him because he gets his head around. I'm not sure whether that was also troubling him or not. We took the murphy off today and left the pole on him and he ran straight."
Proctor has crafted an excellent record from stock bred at Tactile Farm and is starting to rate Spectactular in the top bracket.
"At this stage I think he could be as good as, if not better than Tact Lizzie. He's much more pliable and I think he's got a bright future."
He says there have not been any offers for the horse this season but there was interest in him last season.
"I turned good money down for him at two when he qualified. He was a pretty dumb animal at that stage who just followed them around and didn't know what racing was about. Thr trip away to Laurence Hanrahan's (when Proctor took Tact Lizzie to Addington) worked wonders for him. Laurence thought he had the goods and it was just a matter of developing him."
Proctor is now looking at the possibility of running him in a graduation series at the Rangiora meeting on Thursday 3rd November. The first four runners home in the three heats then compete for a $20,000 stake on Cup Day at Addington five days later.
"The final is over 1950 metres which I'm still not convinced will suit him. Like Lizzie (Tact Lizzie) he's more of a staying type."
If he doesn't travel north Proctor will give the colt a short break to let him develop.
Matt's Cup (Wednesday 26th October 2011)
Bruce Stewart
Stablehand Matthew Cross was in charge of three Cran Dalgety runners at Ascot Park yesterday and two of them won; including Matt Maguire in the feature - the $15,000. Highview Standardbreds/Justa Tiger Riverton Cup.
This four year old has always been rated by his trainer. He won the Sires Stakes Silver last season running the mile in a sensational 1-53.9. He indicated that he was ready for a bold showing when running second to the classy Ohoka Texas at Wairio last weekend and at only his second attempt from a stand, he handled the test like a true professional.
"They stood around for a while but Dex (Dexter Dunn) managed to do a few circles and timed his getaway perfectly. He had the shorteners in and although it was only his second standing start - the other was as a three year old - he's a bit more mature now." said Cross.
The run from Cup favourite Franco Ledger was huge. He added lengths to his 30 metre handicap when he broke at the start. Commentator Dave McDonald called him at least 80 to 100 metres from the leader at the 2000 metre mark. Driver Hamish Hunter took him into the race three wide with a lap to run. His condition gave out in the straight, but he still ran fourth just over five and a half lengths from the winner.
The classy four year old had missed some work when he picked up a stone bruise and had to be scratched from his race at Addington. Some thought is now being given to starting him at Gore on Sunday before venturing to Addington for Cup Week.
The Dalgety - Dunn combination also struck in the next race winning with the nicely bred Pennsylvania. The Western Ideal filly had her first start on Sunday at Tuapeka and backed up at Riverton in the Locations Fillies and Mares Mobile.
"We made a few gear changes and she found the lead after being off them early. She's got a bit a arrogance about her and she'll be well placed amongst the fillies this season," said Cross.
