Off to a flying start

Te Awamutu trained three-yearold Flying Feet presented his credentials for a tilt at the New Zealand Derby (2400m) in the best possible fashion at Te Rapa on Sunday.

The Ocean Park youngster produced an eye-catching late run to out-finish his rivals in the closing stages of the 1400m contest to secure his maiden victory at just his second start.

The win was all the more impressive as the gelding dwelt at the start while he also overcame a somewhat wayward run in the home straight to snatch the threequarter length victory.

“That was very impressive today, especially as he was tardily away” said trainer Joseph Waldron after the race.

“Luckily the speed was on in front which gave him a chance to get home well, although he still wanted to do things a bit wrong, so there’s improvement in him.”

Waldron expects his charge to take the next step over more ground as he aims him at a start in Ellerslie’s blue riband event on the first Saturday in March.

“He’s bred to run 2000m-2400m, so we’ll take him home and look after him then see where we go from here,” he said.

“He holds a nomination for the Derby, so the progression is to give him a run over a mile next. We should be able to find something suitable in the next fortnight and if he goes well we will press on from there.”

Leading rider Opie Bosson was suitably impressed with the run despite the horse making a mess of the start.

“He jumped in the air and we had to go to Plan B,” he said. “He’s still very green but I do think he has a bright future.”