Ryder Stakes winning habit for Somervell
Cambridge trainer Lee Somervell has made a habit of winning races with members of a famous Hawke’s Bay thoroughbred family.
Isabel and Graham Roddick have bred many winners on their farm south west of Napier from a lineage that commenced back in the late 1950’s.
The Roddicks purchased First Fancy at Trentham in 1959, from her they bred Charlotte Rhodes who is the dam of Certain Habit.
It was Certain Habit who put the Roddicks firmly on the breeding map with her second foal, a Roughcast colt, going on to become one of Australasia’s greatest gallopers – the eleven time Group I winner Rough Habit.
Somervell has enjoyed great success with the family - none better than Group I winner Addictive Habit, the Roddicks sharing ownership with a syndicate that has so far banked $770,00-plus in winnings.
Somervell has runners at two venues in black-type races this weekend.
The money is up and he’s hoping for the best but at the same time, his focus is on the future.
Tried and true mare Celebrity Miss tackles the Taumarunui Gold Cup at Rotorua while a promising 2-year-old trips to Otaki for the Ryder Stakes - both are prospects for the Hastings spring carnival.
The 2-year-old is a gelding from the ‘‘Habit’’ family Somervell bought on impulse at the yearling sales.
‘‘I saw him in the yearling catalogue and quickly arranged some finance to buy him - hence his name, Impulsive Habit,’’ Somervell
The affable horseman didn’t have to break the bank, the colt by Echoes Of Heaven out of Special Habit knocked down for an affordable $14,000.
Somervell kept a share and had 15 friends and existing clients join him in a syndicate to race the horse.
He has been patiently handled and had four trials before his debut second behind a primed and ready Bella Gioia at Te Rapa on July 2.
He won his final trial before his debut, the three prior outings part of a steady approach from his trainer.
Early on Somervell realised the lanky youngster had inherited his fair share of the family ability and he decided to follow a tried and tested path with the horse.
He used the Ryder Stakes as a stepping stone to bigger things including the Hawke’s Bay Guineas with Addictive Habit in 2012 and Stradivarius last year.
He wants to go one better on Saturday, Addictive Habit ran second to Move Faster in the Ryder and Stradivarius filled the same spot behind Secret Spirit.
But there’s some tough competition headed by Lisa Latta’s unbeaten colt Manhattan Street, Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s Mongolian Wolf, one start for a win, and Bruce Arthur, Cortado and Sophia Magia among eight highly regarded opponents.
With the Group II Hawke’s Bay Guineas in September as a goal, Somervell sees Saturday’s $50,000 Listed 1200m race as a perfect guide to future prospects.
‘‘I’ve got a lot of time for this horse,’’ Somervell said. ‘‘He’s got to put it all together yet but a trip away this weekend will hold him in good stead for later on.
‘‘I think he’s got terrific potential - I think he could be as good as Addictive Habit.’’
Trudy Thornton has ridden the youngster in all his public appearances but Sam Spratt takes the reins on Saturday.
Thornton will remain in the north to stick with Celebrity Miss in the Taumarunui Cup with the Hastings carnival in mind.
The gallant mare has topweight of 60kg in the Listed 2200m event which could be a bridge too far against some handy lightweights.
‘‘She has needed her last couple of runs,’’ Somervell said. ‘‘She’s really well but the handicap system is crucifying our top stayers and something needs to be done about it.
‘‘The system needs to be taken a long, hard look at.’’