Autridge wins in a heartbeat

TOBY Autridge won with his lone runner at New Plymouth yesterday and will seek more success at the Whanganui meeting today.

The Matamata horseman saddled Irish Heartbeat to win an open handicap (1400m) at Pukekura Raceway. His jumper, Le Bon Fin, is starting in a restricted open hurdles race at Whanganui.

‘‘I’ve only got six or seven in work,’’ said Autridge, who trains Irish Heartbeat for Whakatane owner-breeders Danny and Meredith Deegan.

Irish Heartbeat, a 7-year-old mare, by Electronic Zone, was having her first start for nearly eight months.

A growth in her windpipe forced her out of training during the summer. ‘‘We turned her out instead of operating on it . . . and it [growth] went away,’’ Autridge said. Autridge would like to campaign Irish Heartbeat at the three-day Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, which starts next Saturday. He thought there was a suitable handicap race for Irish Heartbeat on the last day (October 1).

On Saturday, Irish Heartbeat won by threequarters of a length from Antonio Lombardo, with the same margin to Gypsy Fair third. The 1400m was cut out in 1:18.37.

As the horseman turns his sights to the Whanganui meeting, he is mindful of Le Bon Fin falling in a hurdle race at the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

The 9-year-old gelding ran fifth of 11 in an open hurdles contest at Te Aroha on July 24 at his last start.