Mauna Kea scores biggest win at Trentham

Tenacious six-year-old Mauna Kea scored the biggest win of his career, when his never-say- die attitude paved the way for a gritty victory, in yesterday’s $70,000 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.

The Per Incanto six-year-old, who goes by the nickname ‘Boris’ around trainer Paul Moseley’s Hawera stable, has proven a model of consistency since breaking through for his first victory in May, 2018.

Since then he has added a further seven wins to the ledger, however a stakes victory had proved elusive until yesterday’s contest.

Moseley was adamant before the race that his charge was a serious winning chance as long as rider Dylan Turner allowed him to find his feet early in the contest. After jumping well from a midfield barrier, Turner slid Mauna Kea forward to lope alongside pacemaker Dolcetto throughout, before issuing his challenge shortly after entering the home straight.

Mauna Kea bounded to the front, and with Turner urging him strongly in the final stages, he held out a determined challenge from Jessiegee to score by a head.

Moseley was thrilled with the victory after nothing had gone Mauna Kea’s way when contesting the rich Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings at his last start.

‘‘Things didn’t go to plan [at Hastings] but that happens in racing,’’ Moseley said.

‘‘It suited him much better today. He comes back quick from his races but he does like them spaced out. It takes him about three or four days and then he blossoms.

‘‘He won best presented today which is a feather in my wife’s cap. I wouldn’t mind a couple more like him, in fact the game would be a lot easier with a couple more like that.’’

Mauna Kea is the first foal of City On A Hill mare City Class Rose and hails from an extended family that includes Vite Cheval and Nat The Brat, while his grand-dam is Grand National Hurdle (4200m) winner Raggamuffin Rose.

PUKEKOHE visitor Play That Song backed up an impressive debut win with another dominant performance in the $50,000 Wellesley Stakes (1000m) at Trentham.

The Nigel Tiley-trained filly had looked a complete professional on debut and gave that impression once again at Trentham, despite appearing to flounder in the heavy 11 track conditions approaching the home straight. Play That Song bounced nicely for rider Rosie Myers, who positioned her mount outside the speed throughout. Although heading sideways for a few strides across the junction, Play That Song quickly hit top gear before coasting home by just over a length from debutant Power ‘n’ Glory, who made up good ground late.

Tiley, who had scored with Hunua Hank one race earlier at Ellerslie, had been confident of a good performance from the Showcasing filly, after she had trialled well on a heavy surface prior to making her Ruakaka raceday debut. ‘‘She had trialled up well on a heavy track although there are heavy tracks, and then there are Trentham heavy tracks.’’ A $40,000 purchase, Play That Song is raced by Tiley, his wife Lee and his sister-in-law Mandy Rutherford, along with Alex Opie and Richard Cole.

‘‘. . . the game would be a lot easier with a couple more [horses] like that.’’ Mauna Kea’s trainer Paul Moseley