Richardson defends Waikato Guineas crown

Outsider Sponge Bob ($34) upset predictions when he produced a dour staying effort to take out the group two Warren Storm Lifebrokers Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa in the hands of replacement rider Troy Harris.

Harris followed the instructions of co-trainer Graham Richardson to the letter as he positioned Sponge Bob just in behind a steady speed set-up by free-going pacemaker Arrogant.

Harris tracked race favourite Sword In Stone into contention and issued his challenge at the 200m mark. With Arrogant fighting on strongly, the trio set down to a toothand-nail battle over the concluding stages, with Sponge Bob fighting best to down Arrogant by a neck, with a short head back to Sword In Stone in third.

Richardson, who prepares the gelding with training partner Gavin Parker, made it back-to-back wins in the event after Niagara gelding Xbox took out the race in 2018.

Meanwhile, bargain buy Imelda Mary added a second group two victory to her burgeoning record when she downed her three-year-old female rivals in the group two Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m).

Trainer Wayne Hillis paid just $3500 for Imelda Mary at the 2017 National Yearling Sale. Yesterday’s victory took her career earnings past the $168,000 mark as she posted her third win from 15 starts

Given the run of the race by rider Cameron Lammas, the Ferlax filly travelled up sweetly throughout before issuing her challenge on the home bend. Sent to the front by Lammas, Imelda Mary held out the late challenge of Awapuni visitor Sentimental Miss, with race favourite Queen Of Diamonds close up in third.