The Soultaker superb
As rain saturated Ellerslie racecourse yesterday, the worry lines deepened for connections of favoured runner The Soultaker.
But when the grey son of Iffraaj burst along the rail to the sound of commentator George Simon’s dulcet tones, the worries were over.
Simon and co-trainer Donna Logan are part of the talented youngster’s ownership group and they can start planning to be at Riccarton in November.
The target there will be the Group I 2000 Guineas and the Ruakaka-trained 3-year-old will be one of the most discussed candidates for the $400,000 feature.
He despised the wet underfoot conditions yesterday but his class carried him to victory in the Group III Bonecrusher Stakes.
Jockey Mark Du Plessis had given up hope of success deep into the race as The Soultaker floundered in the wet.
But with the instructions of Logan and training partner Chris Gibbs fresh in his mind he stuck to the rail.
Meantime Hello M’Lady had supporters doing hand stands as the Shocking filly under Shaun McKay skirted wide on the home turn and shot clear.
Momentarily it appeared a winning move, but Du Plessis arrived in time to spoil the party for rookie trainer Vicki Prendergast and her filly.
She fought well for second ahead of Mongolian lightning.
‘‘I was a 100 to one at the 500,’’ Du Plessis said. ‘‘But once he straightened up and got back to the fence he found some more.
‘‘He never handled it [the track] but he’s tough. My horse is a good horse, he really is.
‘‘He’s a big, strong horse now and he got through the ground because of it , but he will be better when he gets back on good ground.’’ Gibbs was amazed by the win. ‘‘Mark rode him beautifully,’’ he said. ‘‘He [The Soultaker] just stamped his class on it I thought, he’s just got a bit of class and that shone through. ‘‘There’s huge upside to this horse.’’ When Simon settled down after calling the race he reflected on the thrill of breeding the colt with his wife Maryanne and sharing in the ownership.
‘‘It was a great thrill - at the 700 I thought he might run mid-field,but at the 300 I was confident,’’ he said.
Hats off to apprentice Viktoria Gatu for a smart ride to get Pacorus home in the Mitchelson Cup (2200m) earlier in the day.
Riding for her boss Chris Wood, she rode to a plan they formulated to make use of a good draw and she executed perfectly.
‘‘We decided to use the draw and he got there [ to the lead] quite easily,’’ Gatu said. ‘‘It was my fifth win on him he’s going places.’’
Gatu’s proud record on the Tavistock gelding assisted in his five wins from his last seven starts as he builds towards the New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November.
Gatu rode a double for the day, kicking Embraceable You home in the last for Matamata trainers Peter and Jessica Brosnan.
Livamol Classic candidate Hasselhoof furthered his preparations for next Saturday’s Group I with an exhibition gallop.
The Tavistock gelding missed a key lead-up run in last Sunday’s Listed Karaka Classic due to the heavy track conditions, so was sent to Ellerslie to for a strong hit-out.
Accompanied by stablemate Candle In The Wind, Hasselhoof ran 1000m in 61.09 seconds with the last 600 in 35.78.