GallopSouth

Otago RC - Review - 6th February

Track: Good 3

The $70,000 Group 3 White Robe Lodge Stakes featured the best 1600m horses in the Island. The top weight Hold It Harvey settled last from the wide draw, Jamie Bullard barged the big fella into the clear at the top of the straight and unleashed a powerful sprint down the outside to catch the pacemaker Eel Win in the final strides. This was the 10^th career win by the King Cugat 5yo for Riccarton trainer Terri Rae. Royal Flight, Comparison and Real Chance shared the minor slices of the $70,000 stake.

Zabene signaled he is on track for a start in the Auckland Cup by impressively winning the $45,000 Dunedin Casino Gold Cup. Jason Collett rode the Zabeel 6yo for leading trainer Mark Walker. Biman and Turn The Page both hit the line strongly in the 2400m event. Stablemates Peyow Peyow and Coup Callum were fourth and fifth.

Jason had more success in the $30,000 R80 2200m when riding the favourite El Torro for his father Richard Collett. The Volksraad 5yo finished over the top of Outrage, Ardent Fire and Vintner - who did well to run fourth after racing wide throughout.

Coup Align showed his class with a comfortable win in the Eclipse Stakes for Lisa Alpress. Coup Align is considered one of the best Open Class Sprinters in the country and ran 1.10.20 for the 1200m. It was the Align 4yo’s 10^th win for Michael Pitman and owner Ray Coupland. Attalla was second ahead of Westend Lady and Artic Ace.

Champagne Ransom took out the Listed $45,000 Dunedin Guineas for Riccarton trainer Shane Kennedy and rider Jason Laking. The Red Ransom gelding bypassed the first leg of the Triple Crown at Gore but his efforts earlier in the season should have seen him paying much less than the $29 on offer. Our Bee Jay ran strongly to finish a nose behind the winner. The Beekeeper and Jason Collett struck interference on two or three occasions and were an unlucky third. Cassius was fourth just ahead of the favourite Chaparella who had to settle at the rear of the field from the wide barrier; when making her run through the field she also struck traffic problems.

A gritty performance by Moveovr and a hard ride by Dan Bothamley earned victory in the R80 1400m for Peter and Dawn Williams. El Chico raced wide throughout and did well to hold second ahead of William Of Orange, Menalaus and Miss Millbrook.

Local trainer Paul Richards and Chris Johnson combined with Reconcile took out the R70 1600m. The grey 5yo by Seasoned Star has been racing honestly in recent times but slipped under punters guard paying $23 for the win. So Alberta raced wide throughout and did well to run second ahead of Beate. Johnson had another win earlier in the day aboard Kirkdouglas for Pam Gerard in the Maiden 1200m.

Lucy Star continued her good form for local trainer Wayne Stevens and rider Lance Robinson by winning the R70 1400m ahead of She’ll Keep and The Cover Drive.

The R70 1200m went to Zenagen and Amelia Denby for Michael Pitman, Miss El Bee Dee and Ace Of Diamonds filled the minors. In the Maiden 1600m Steve Anderton’s runner Justa Chance unwound powerfully in the hands of Jason Laking to run down Apologize and Kilycon Rose and Voodoo Vixen.