No drama as galloper claims Easter Handicap victory
WELLINGTON: Former Australian galloper Endless Drama backed up an eyecatching second at Hastings last week to go one better at Ellerslie on Saturday when he took out the group 2 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).
The 7yrold Lope De Vega horse has done the bulk of his racing from the Chris Waller stable in Sydney after beginning his career in Ireland. Successful at group 2 level over 1400m, he was transferred to the stable of Cambridge trainer Tony Pike earlier this year after finishing well back behind Melody Belle in the Haunui Farm WeightForAge Group One Classic for owner Qatar Bloodstock.
He showed he could be competitive at group 2 level with a tidy run for fourth over 1600m at Tauranga at his next start before producing a sharp turn of foot over 1200m behind Princess Kereru at Hastings.
An ideal inside barrier played in his favour on Saturday as rider Leith Innes settled him nicely in midfield throughout before tracking up behind runners approaching the home turn. Angled off the rail at the 300m, Endless Drama quickly forged to the front before holding out Watch This Space and Yearn to capture his fourth career victory.
‘‘It was a superb ride by Leith, as I said to just try and hold him up for as long as you can,’’ Pike said.
‘‘He sat and waited until the 200m to let him go and he has got an electric turn of foot that he showed at Hawke’s Bay. We thought we had him back in form then and we were quietly confident heading into today.’’
Cambridge 3yrold Lord Arthur stormed to victory in race 6, the group 2 Valachi Downs Championship Stakes.
The Camelot gelding is prepared by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
Allowed to settle well back in a strungout field, he and rider Jake Bayliss lobbed along quietly before making their run at the 600m.
Promising filly Intrigue struck the front with 250m to run but just as she was being hailed the winner, Bayliss brought Lord Arthur down the outside to swamp her, with another Baker/ Forsman runner in Bobby Dee clinging on well for third.
Baker had the inkling his charge was starting to round into form after strengthening up in recent weeks.
‘‘He’s been a bit weak, but he’s started to get it together in the last month or so,’’ he said.
‘‘There is a possibility he could go on to Brisbane from here.’’ — NZ Racing Desk