Lack of water key for Flying Sardine
FLYING Sardine looked nothing like a fish out of water when winning yesterday’s Winter Cup trial at Ashburton.
She looked the complete opposite as she beat Zawhip by 11⁄4 lengths.
The Kelvin Tylertrained mare produced a booming finish to win the 1400m feature for apprentice Brett Murray
It was a lack of water that was the key to win.
Soft tracks have been a rarity in the South Island recently as horses have battled through deep heavy going.
But Ashburton produced a slow surface yesterday that allowed Flying Sardine to produce her best after she was a surprising flop in her previous start in the Amberley Cup on a puggy Riccarton track over 1800m.
‘‘I think it was just too heavy for Sardine last start. It was pretty tough up there, so it is a bit of a relief,’’ Tyler said.
In a big result for his stable, Tyler also produced third placegetter Timy Tyler and fourthplaced Lochan Ora.
Lochan Ora put in an eyecatching performance after the gelding was slow to begin and tailed the field by about four lengths early in the race.
Flying Sardine had won her two previous starts on looser heavy footing at Riccarton and Ascot Park.
‘‘I couldn’t fault Flying Sardine’s work and I don’t think I’ve had a horse with such willpower to win,’’ Tyler said.
The mare produced commendable results when third in the group 3 South Island Breeders Stakes and fifth in the group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup earlier this season.
Her win yesterday has her in contention to land a blacktype success in next month’s group 3 Winter Cup that would seal her future as a broodmare.
All three of Tyler’s runners in yesterday’s event would be aimed at next month’s feature, he said.
Timy Tyler won the Winter Cup in 2015.
Favoured runners Fascinate and Fairlight both produced belowpar runs in yesterday’s race.
Seventhplaced Fascinate was unable to sprint quickly under her 58.5kg weight after having an economical run.
Fairlight was trapped wide throughout the event and was under pressure before the home turn finishing ninth.
Prince Of Oz continued his meteoric rise when he won his fourth consecutive start in the South Island in yesterday’s rating 75 1200m event.
Not even having to carry a massive 61kg could stop the Neill Ridleytrained galloper from remaining unbeaten under rider Terry Moseley.
Moseley sat off a hot early speed before angling his charge wide in the home straight where the horse produced a sustained finish.
Yesterday’s open 2100m event went to Standrews Masonic for trainer Cheri Trembath and rider Chris Johnson.
Johnson rode Finbarr to win his third consecutive race in yesterday’s 3&4yrold event over 1600m.