Lord Darci ends hoodoo
A rails-hugging ride by Terry Moseley paved the way for local runner Lord Darci to break a 22-year hoodoo for local Canterbury stables when he took out the Group III 125th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
Bred, raced and trained by former All Black Bevan Wilson and wife Robyn, the fiveyear-old son of Darci Brahma turned the tables on his laststart conqueror, Summer Festival, as he out-finished the former Italian Derby winner to win by two lengths.
Away well from barrier seven, Lord Darci handled the testing heavy10 conditions with aplomb before looming into contention along the inner as the field fanned across the track at the top of the long Riccarton home straight.
Summer Festival, who had led throughout, was going strongly in front and fought hard when joined by Lord Darci at the 300m before succumbing late in the piece, with Verry Flash running on well from the back to take third albeit eight lengths in arrears.
Wilson was rapt with the performance as his charge became the first local runner to win the race since McLaskry in 1999.
‘‘That was very satisfying as when we first laid eyes on this bloke, we didn’t even think he would get to the races,’’ Wilson said.
A mud-spattered Moseley was sporting a wide grin after the victory, his first in the race.
‘‘I’ve always thought he was a nice up and coming horse but I did think it might be a year too soon for him,’’ the 55-year-old jockey said. ‘‘With the way the track is playing I thought the older, more seasoned horses might have it but there is no doubt about it, he is a talent.’’
Meanwhile, promising steeplechaser West Coast has the favourite’s tag for Saturday’s 147th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) with a dashing display to take out the traditional lead-up event at Riccarton.
Facing just three rivals in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m), the Mark Oulaghantrained seven-year-old put in a proficient display in the hands of Shaun Fannin to defeat last start Te Rapa winner Carnaby by seven lengths. – NZ Racing Desk