Slow trip not your usual to Ruakaka
JOCKEY Matthew Cameron came close to missing a plum ride on his return from an overseas holiday.
The top jockey was one of many racegoers heading north for yesterday’s Ruakaka races who became stuck in traffic when a slip partially blocked the road.
Fortunately he got the gap he needed in the traffic jam and arrived on course in time to throw his leg over the shortpriced favourite in race one for the local Logan and Gibbs stable.
He arrived in his gear after changing in the car and was ready to go.
The aptly named Not Usual Trip gave Cameron a much more comfortable ride than his road trip and the son of Stryker careered away for the easiest of wins.
‘‘He’s a top horse and the best in the field,’’ Cameron said. ‘‘He’s come up really well.’’
Trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs have big targets in mind for the colt owned by one of the stable’s Chinese clients, HSF Bloodstock.
‘‘We’ve got a bit of time for him,’’ Logan said. ‘‘That’s why we’ve run him in some good company before this.
‘‘I was questioning whether the 1000 would be too short for him but he’s won so well.’’
The Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) back at Ruakaka on September 16 could be used as pipe-opener for 3-year-old classic races.
Not Usual Trip was strongly supported, one $3,000 bet at $1.95 was the last at those odds as he tightened to $1.70 at the jump.
Second home with a promising debut was pacemaker Bucky and Contessa Vanessa ran on well for third.
The TAB held in excess of 100 bets at $101 on the Logan and Gibbs stable scoring a clean sweep of the seven race card and punters were on good terms with themselves when Dancing Light kept hopes alive winning the second.
Ridden by Chris Johnson the Singapore-owned Darci Brahma mare was a comfortable winner at a short $1.60 when betting closed.
That’s where it ended for punters with Tony Pike’s Chachar winning the third.