Court has good day out at Kurow
STABLEMATES Storm Prince and Tom Martin provided the stars turns on the Kurow Cup and gave their trainer Paul Court a late birthday present yesterday.
Tom Martin impressed with a comefrombehind maiden win, before Storm Prince’s superior staying abilities helped him prevail in the Kurow Cup just days after their trainer’s 40th birthday.
Court was hoping for a typically brilliant drive from Blair Orange, as Storm Prince’s lack of recent racing was a concern going into the event.
Orange did not let Court down, producing a patient steer to help the Stunin Cullen 5yrold take out the $15,000 feature.
The reinsman kept Storm Prince out of the race’s strong early speed, and that paid off when the frontrunners started to tire at the 400m.
Despite his lack of recent racing, the 5yrold had enough in reserve to hold off a late rally from placegetters Homebush Lad and Franco Santino.
Tom Martin helped Court and Orange score a training and also helped West Otagobred horses enjoy a good day by impressively winning race 3.
The Mach Three 3yrold was
He is a pretty nice horse, he is a big monster of a horse and he is going to be a lot better with more time.
last at the 1000m, and gave the leaders a head start of around 15 lengths.
Tom Martin impressed when easily making up that ground and going on to score for Orange.
Punters will have to bide their time to cash in again with the horse, who was heavily backed into $1.90 favouritism.
Court described his pacer as a ‘‘big monster’’, who will — handled patiently — develop into his big frame.
‘‘He is a pretty nice horse, he
is a big monster of a horse and he is going to be a lot better with more time.
‘‘So, he is just going to be lightly raced this campaign.’’
Tom Martin is another winner from long time West Otago breeders Tuapeka Lodge.
The son of Life Sign mare Raindowne was a $25,000 purchase at the 2018 national yearling sales by clients of Court’s stable.
Raindowne has changed hands since then and is now owned by fellow West Otago breeders John and Judy Stiven.
The Stivens also enjoyed success as breeders at Oamaru yesterday with Arden Roanoke.
The former yearling sales topper also produced a lasttofirst victory.
Arden Roanoke was a $155,000 purchase at the 2017 sale by clients of trainers Cran Dalgety and Nathan Purdon.
The 4yrold was one of three winners at yesterday’s meeting for driver Matt Anderson.
The reinsman produced Noble Mistress to win from his own barn, and also drove Changearound to win for trainer Mitchell Kerr.
The 2019 edition of Kurow Cup day will be a day to remember for driver Simon Smith after he scored his first win as a driver with Rocknroll King.
Smith scored his maiden win in just his fifth official race.
And he did it in style with a front running steer on the 4yrold, trained by his employer Robert Dunn.