Weekend winners podium
It was trifecta of winners for Go Racing last weekend with spring racing at its exciting best from tracks all around the country.
The impressive turn around in Whatastar’s performance at Riccarton had some scratching their heads but not trainer Andrew Carston.
“She always had the ability but lacked focus. We had trialled her in blinkers for a win so we knew the gear change was having the effect we were after,” says Andrew.
He also credited a more positive ride from jockey Samantha Collett as contributing to her success in the Maiden.
Says Andrew, “I was impressed with the filly. It was a tough win and she had to fight off a number of challenges in the straight. She was just about run down on the line but held on for a gutsy win.”
She will now race at Ashburton on 17 October either in the Listed Stakes for three-year-olds worth $50,000 or a Rating 65 1400 metres worth $17,500.
At Hastings, the Stephen Marsh trained Seize the Moment overcame a wide draw to record a dominant win in the Rating 75 1400 metres worth $40,000.
It was a case of deja vu for Go Racing followers with Mighty Solomon winning the same race last year in a very similar fashion.
The race was run at a cracking pace, but he won easily, backing up a very good fresh up performance over 1300 metres in Taupo on 18 September.
Says Stephen, “I rate him more highly than his half-brother, Savour the Moment, who was also a Stakes winner.”
He’s a horse that appreciates spacing in his races so his next run will be at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. He wil go up a grade to a Rating 85 1400 metres.
Say Stephen, “Our longer term goal is the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap at Trentham on 16 January worth $70,000.”
It was a good news story with an impressive debut win for What’s the Story (Savabeel x Tall Story) at Ruakaka earlier in the week.
Says trainer Stephen McKee, “He’s a three-year-old colt with a big future. He just destroyed them and we did have some reservations over the short 1200 metre trip. His winning time was a second and a half faster than the other 1200 metre races run at the meeting which is equivalent to nine lengths which surprised us a little.”
What’s the Story has been nominated for Group 1 2000 Guineas on 7 November worth $400,000 but a decision won’t be made on that race until after his next start, which is likely to be in a three-year-old 1400 metres at Trentham on 24 October.
According to Stephen, “What’s more impressive is that he’s bred to excel at much longer distances. The fact that he has such speed over shorter distances is pretty rare and makes it even more exciting.”
His ultimate aim as a three-year-old is the New Zealand Derby over 2400 metres worth $750,000 on 5 March. Watch this space for the next chapter in this exciting story.