A Gold and two Silvers
It’s been an intense racing calendar for Go Racing on both sides of the Tasman.
Passing Shot won his second stakes race in a row, taking out the Listed NZB Finance Sprint at Hastings on Saturday by a nose. His latest gutsy effort tips his prize money to just over $270,000.
Leading jockey Opie Bosson followed instructions of “go forward and win” to the letter and delivered the goods to a thrilled Go Racing The Ace syndicate.
He shot out of the barriers and led throughout. When hyped Aussie import Miss Denni took him on at the 200 metres mark he kicked hard and stretched his neck on the line to see off a strong challenger from a strong field.
Rival jockey Mark Du Plessis conceded he’s a tough horse to beat and his stats of 9 wins from 24 starts certainly bears that out.
Says trainer Stephen McKee, “He’s just so consistent. Unfortunately at this time of year we’ve just hit a wall in terms of stakes races available for him with his preference for good tracks so now he’ll have a well-deserved spell through winter.”
Connections of No More Tears revelled in a much improved performance in the Group 3 J H B Carr Stakes in Sydney worth A$150,000.
Her second place put to rest the head scratcher from last week when she finished down the track in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes. She hit the line hard and posted one of the two fastest last 600 metres of the day. Champion Australian jockey Hugh Bowman said the slow pace mid-race cost her the win as she was too far off the leader on the turn. She will continue her Australian campaign on 30 April in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas worth A$200,000.
Another consistent Go Racing performer, Seize the Moment was nabbed on the line in the Christchurch Casino Easter Cup after leading the entire way.
With ears pricked, he kicked strongly at the 200 metres mark and was taken on wide by eventual winner by a nose, Tommy Tucker.
Trainer Stephen Marsh says, “He hates to be beaten. If he’d seen the horse wide, he would have found another gear. He is a warrior.”
Seize the Moment will continue his South Island campaign with his next race in the Listed Great Easter Handicap over 1400 metres on 7 May at Riccarton.