Longchamp brave in Opunake Cup
WELLINGTON: Longchamp scored his second consecutive win in the Opunake Cup at New Plymouth yesterday.
The Andrew Campbelltrained galloper raced threewide before rider Johnathon Parkes went for home as the field rounded the home turn.
The yestablished a twolength break which proved the decisive move as a host of challengers threatened to run the Tavistock gelding down in the concluding stages.
Campbell had been quietly confident about his chances.
‘‘He’d come up good and we thought he was spot on for the race, especially as he was carrying just the 56.5kg which was a great weight for him,’’ the trainer said.
‘‘He’s just so brave and although he’s had a hard run all the way, he’s done the job. He’s got a heart the size of a lion.’’
‘‘He’s had a lot of issues on the way through so we’re just so proud of him and I’m thrilled for all the people who have helped us along the way.
‘‘It’s just an amazing result and we can carry on towards the Group One now.’’
Campbell was referring to the group 1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings on September 2, a race in which Longchamp finished fourth behind Kawi last year.
Parkes was quick to admit that things had not quite gone to plan when he was stuck three wide.
‘‘We began well and I’d always planned to ride him up on the speed,’’ he said.
‘‘The inside horses just kept kicking up but I still wanted to be there so we could pounce on the turn.’’
‘‘We actually probably got to the front too easy in a way as he started to wait for them but in the end we got the job done.’’
Katie McKeen bolted away to win by more than eight lengths for trainer Gary McBeth and rider Alfred Chan.
McBeth said he was hopeful rather than confident on the back of a visit from equine chiropractor Tommy Behrns leading up to the race, to treat Katie McKeen.
‘‘We had Tommy come and see her this week and within 24 hours she was a different horse.
‘‘She got things to suit out in front as she hates being ridden in behind. When she is in front she will fight to the bitter end and she showed all those qualities today.
‘‘We have decided to get her in foal but at this stage we haven’t decided where we will send her,’’ McBeth said.
‘‘She may have one more run before then but where that will be I just don’t know. The Taumarunui Cup could be an option but she never handled the Rotorua track last year.’’ — NZ Racing Desk/Staff Reporter