Herculean effort effort by He No Opilio
Narrowly defeated in last 50m
If only last weekend’s $300,000 NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport Wellington Cup was over a distance of 3150m. Foxton horse He No Opilio almost led the field from barrier to winning post in the time-honoured 3200m race, overhauled late by eventual winner Lincoln King and secondplaced Starrybeel in the final few strides.
It was a herculean effort from the horse, who showed great heart to fight off all attackers after being challenged for much of the long Trentham straight.
Such is racing, the difference between the winners purse of $172,500 and third prizemoney of $27,000 was about the width of a Nehe Milner-Skudder sidestep.
Trainer Chris Rauhihi was rapt with the effort and said the horse had come through the race in good order, relishing a deserved few days off training with some paddock time.
“He drew the outside barrier so it was a brave run,” he said.
Rauhihi would now press forward with plans of further raids of some lucrative summer cup races, beginning with a possible tilt at the $40,000 Ashhurst-Pohangina Cup at Awapuni next Friday, a race the horse finished a close second in last season.
He was also keen to defend the $30,000 Wairoa Cup at Hastings on February 20, winning the corresponding
event with a typically stylish front-running display.
“He’ll let us know, but right now I can’t fault him. He’s come through the race well,” he said.
Rauhihi was also strongly considering nominating He No Opilio for the $500,000 Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m), run at Ellerslie on March 13.
Nominations closed this week. He said he would love to give the horse another chance over the supreme distance of 3200m.
“He’s shown us he can stay,” he said.
Rauhihi trains He No Opilio for Australian owners M.J. Reid and W. M. Stent. The 7-year-old black gelding had now won $119,475 in prizemoney.
He No Opilio, who was sired by Whanganui-based stallion Zed, was relatively lightly-raced, his four career wins coming from 33 starts, including eight minor placings.
Rauhihi, who had stables based in Levin, did most of He No Opilio’s training at Hokio Beach, a short drive from Levin.
“He loves it out there,” he said.