Long term planning pays off
John Bary successfully executed a long-term plan when the wellrelated Miss Wilson reigned supreme in the Gr1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
An emotional Bary savoured top-flight success with the halfsister by Stratum to his former star galloper Jimmy Choux, a multiple Group One winner and former New Zealand Horse of the Year.
He was bred and raced by Richard and Liz Wood and their familiar colours were donned by Vinnie Colgan aboard Miss Wilson. Miss Wilson finished fourth in the Breeders’ Stakes 12 months ago after she had won the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) and this time around Bary elected to bypass the Trentham event. ‘‘I learned from last year and she is much better fresh,’’ he said.
Ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Miss Wilson jumped well to sit behind the tearaway leaders Ruud Not Too and Nicoletta before reeling them in 250m from home.
Miss Wilson won by half a length from Thee Auld Floozie, who also finished runner-up in the 2017 edition of the event behind Charmont.
Nicoletta stuck on grimly to take third money ahead of Heni and Coldplay. The favourite Darscape Princess was under pressure at the top of the straight and dropped out to beat only two home.
Enigmatic stayer Highlad returned to winning form on Saturday with a heart-stopping victory in the Te Aroha Cup (2200m). Co-trainer Andrew Forsman indicated that he was leaning towards the High Chaparral four-year-old over stablemate Show The World with the prediction of a sit-sprint battle developing in the six-horse field.
That scenario went out the window almost immediately however, as Hastings visitor Saint Kitt sent a solid pace out in front throughout with Highlad settling well back.
Rider Michael Coleman improved Highlad into a challenging position before drawing clear with Bizzwinkle. Highlad gained the ascendancy to score by a shorthead.
Both Highlad and Show The World have the Listed Hawkes Bay Gold Cup (2200m) at Hastings this Saturday as their target.
Meanwhile Forsman was also pleased with the performance of the stables four runners in the rich Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) which saw Vin De Dance finish fourth as the best performed of the quartet.
‘‘Vin De Dance went a very solid race and battled on strongly to finish fourth,’’ he said.
‘‘Weather With You probably did his chips with a slow start while Mission Hill over-raced and the wide barrier didn’t do any favours for Mongolian Marshal.