Yourpoint strikes at Matamata
Trainer Jamie Richard’s pre-race comments were spot on the mark at Matamata when speaking about debutant runner Yourpoint.
Richards revealed the stable had plenty of time for the Bull Point gelding and was confident of a bold performance yesterday, despite the reputations of several of his two-year-old rivals in the 1200m contest.
Although rider Opie Bosson had been instructed to go forward from an outside barrier if possible, he had to switch to Plan B when trapped wide in the early running on a hot speed, set up by the well-fancied Jamieson’s Tipple and Vernazza.
Bosson balanced his mount up rounding the home bend and with a flick of the whip as encouragement, Yourpoint let down with a powerful burst that carried him past another local runner in Escudo, to win comfortably by two lengths.
‘‘It probably is the way to ride him, let him get back and then join in,’’ Richards said.
‘‘He worries you a little as he hit a flat spot at the top of the straight, but when he has his mind on the job, he is well above average.’’ With Yourpoint holding a nomination for the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 25, Richards is keen to give his charge every opportunity to make his way into the field with yesterday’s $6250 winner’s cheque not enough to qualify him in the top 14 for the race at present.
‘‘It’s not going to be enough to qualify this year so we’re going to have to go again,’’ he said.
‘‘That will be at Ellerslie in the middle of January. We’ve got to give him the opportunity as he’s going well.’’
Yourpoint races in the colours of owners Chris Rutten, John Norwood and Rod Preston.