Mitchell makes most of Cromwell
The forces of nature extended Tarissa Mitchell’s South Island stay and her unexpected first visit to Cromwell on Sunday had more than satisfactory results for the Cambridge horsewoman.
‘‘It was only the earthquake that kept us down here, but I can’t complain,’’ she said.
Mitchell’s travel plans were disrupted by the major shake with State Highway No1 closed to Picton from Christchurch after the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton.
It resulted in her southern sojourn taking in the Cromwell meeting with both Irish Call, who had won twice during the Cup carnival earlier this month, and Wagner collecting minor placings.
‘‘The draw didn’t help Wagner – I’m not saying he would have won, but he could have gone a bit closer,’’ Mitchell said. Wagner finished third under rider Samantha Wynne, who also partnered Irish Call into a second placing. ‘‘Sam said it was a bit of an upside down ride on him,’’ Mitchell said.
‘‘I’m going to be heading home on Wednesday and Wagner may go to Tauranga next, his owners are from there. Irish Call will have at least a couple of weeks in the paddock.’’
Mitchell has yet to decide the future path of Irish Call, who has won five of his 12 starts.
‘‘There’s a couple of $50,000 races at the Ellerslie carnival and he does like it there and the Thorndon Mile at Wellington is an option,’’ she said.
‘‘That would be a big step up, but Trentham’s a big track and that would suit him.’’