Challenging week ends in triumph for Prise De Fer
Quality performer Prise De Fer put a week of uncertainty behind him in style at Riccarton on Saturday, taking his career earnings past $500,000 with a record-breaking victory in the Group III Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m).
The Savabeel gelding’s plans had been thrown into disarray earlier in the week when a Cook Strait ferry crossing was cancelled, leaving weekend plans up in the air and entries being made for both the Canterbury Gold Cup and the Group III Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Pukekohe on the same day.
Another ferry crossing was secured later in the week and Prise De Fer made it to Christchurch in time, where his rating of 102 towered over his 11 rivals and the weight-for-age conditions were firmly in his favour.
Aided by a well-timed ride by Jason Laking, Prise De Fer lived up to that high rating and $2.40 favouritism with an emphatic victory.
Laking was in no hurry in the early part of the race, settling Prise De Fer well back in eighth place as front-runner Seriously faced sustained pressure from Camino Rocoso and Original Gangster.
After creeping forward along the rail as the field came down the side of the track, Laking made his move at the home turn, angling off the fence and finding clear air at the top of the long Riccarton straight.
Prise De Fer took care of the rest, changing gears and striding to the front with more than 200 metres to run. In-form mare Irish Girl gave her all to try to stay with him, but Prise De Fer always had the upper hand.
He crossed the finish line with a length to spare over the fastfinishing Asathought, clocking 2:00.03 – a race record for the Canterbury Gold Cup, beating Commissionaire’s 2:00.32 in 1983.
Saturday’s win was the ninth of Prise De Fer’s 32-start career..
The consistent six-year-old has now earned $537,525 in stakes for the Te Akau En Garde Syndicate.
‘‘The owners are continuing to be rewarded for their patience and it was another good win,’’ trainer Mark Walker said.
‘‘I still think he’s capable of another really good season as a seven-year-old. He’s been well looked after.
‘‘It was a lovely ride by Jason Laking, who continues to serve the stable very well when called upon. He presented the horse at the right time and it was a confident display.’’
Laking, from Mid-Canterbury, has now ridden 12 winners in the Te Akau Racing tangerine, most notably last month’s Group I New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with Belle En Rouge.
Prise De Fer was a $100,000 purchase by David Ellis from Trelawney Stud’s draft at the 2017 Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka. – NZ Racing Desk