Tauranga and Te Rapa trio of wins
Go Racing celebrated three decisive wins in the weekend.
What a Diva had threatened to win first up and was the favourite going into the 1400 metres Pearl Series Bonus race at Tauranga. It was a very brave ride from Danielle Johnson who had taken a nasty fall in the previous race. What a Diva travelled comfortably in mid field, moved wider in the home straight and, was taken on by second and third place getters, but finished strongly despite wanting more ground than the 1400 metres on offer.
“She’s a stayer in the making and it was great to win the Pearl Bonus,” commented Racing Manager Albert Bosma.
The media revelled in the “battle of the codes” encounter at Te Rapa in the premier 1200 metres race when Passing Shot, part owned by Brendon McCullum in the Go Racing The Ace syndicate, took on Richie McCaw’s unbeaten horse Snaphot.
The race was also notable for all the wrong reason when, in a disgraceful oversight, the barriers had been set 100 metres short and the horses had to be taken out and reloaded.
Opie Bosson rode Passing Shot urgently right from the outset and he just proved too big, too fast and too strong throughout.
“It was a pleasing return to form for Passing Shot, one we knew he was capable of,” says Albert. He will now tackle the Group 1 Railway Handicap at Ellerslie and the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap at Trentham over summer.
Finally, also at the Te Rapa meeting, it was back to back wins for exciting three-year-old filly Ruud Not Too over 1400 metres. She was ridden positively from a very wide draw by Danielle Johnson to get in a handy position and clinically hunted them down in the straight.
Says Albert, “She ran exceptionally fast 600 metres sectionals both at the start and finish of the race. We are just thrilled. She has pulled up superbly and will go to the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic for three-year-old fillies on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.”