Double celebration as Auret stable cracks Champagne
Marton trainer Fraser Auret made it a red-letter day for the Auret family when he captured both feature races at Riccarton.
Two-year-old debutant Unusual Countess made a stunning racetrack debut yesterday when she took out the $50,000 Champagne Stakes (1200m), before lightly raced four-year-old Streak Of Power outlasted his rivals to win the $50K Easter Stakes (1600m).
Both horses are raced by Auret’s parents Nigel and Adaire, who stand G1 Hollywood Turf Cup (2400m) winner Unusual Suspect, the sire of Unusual Countess, at their Letham Stud in Whanganui.
Unusual Suspect became her sire’s first stakes winner with a convincing display in the hands of rider Lisa Allpress. She settled the filly on the outside of pacemaker Lucybelle before taking over early in the run home. Unusual Countess shot away from the chasing pack and had enough in reserve to hold out the fastclosing MacKenzie Lad by a head.
Watching the race at home, Nigel Auret was on cloud nine.
‘‘We have always had a huge opinion of this filly, but Fraser has given her time to get over a few niggles as she went shinsore after she won a trial at Otaki back in
February. Once she got past that she had a jumpout a few weeks ago and went superbly, so we set her for the race today.’’
Auret secured her sire Unusual Suspect after he had originally commenced stud duties in Australia.
‘‘We always liked the look of Unusual Suspect and when we had the chance to buy him, we jumped at it,’’ Auret said.
‘‘He was a very genuine horse who won at Group One level as a six-year-old, but people probably don’t know he was also stakes placed as a two-year-old.’’
Fraser Auret also had a special feeling of satisfaction with the victory by Streak of Power after taking over his father’s racing team around five months ago.
The son of Power enjoyed a
lovely run throughout for apprentice Wiremu Pinn before lodging a challenge in the home straight. The finish turned into a three-way battle with former northerner She’s A Lady and Belle Fascino, with Streak Of Power pulling out plenty to get home by a short head.
‘‘I took on Dad’s team when he retired and this is one horse who has really thrived,’’ Auret said.
‘‘He has gone from a rating 65 winner to a stakes winner and I think there is still improvement in him.
‘‘He can also go home for a break, but now we know he can compete at a higher level there could be some nice races on his programme during his next campaign.
‘‘He was really brave today.’’