Best yet to come says trainer

A LONG-TERM plan came to fruition at New Plymouth for Antony Kaye when he produced Iamishwara to upset the favoured contenders in the Listed Opunake Cup.

The Awapuni trainer had set his Keeninsky gelding for Saturday’s Waikato Stud- sponsored feature some time ago and the availability of top southern jockey Chris Johnson proved a key factor in the narrow victory.

‘‘I’ve had this race in mind for a fair while, though I was a bit concerned about the track but it came up well,’’ Kaye said.

‘‘This horse just keeps strengthening and I think he’ll go even further. He’s been running some phenomenal times in his gallops and he went well at the trials.

‘‘I’ve wanted to get Chris on him for a long time but couldn’t get him before now.’’

Iamishwara is raced by Kaye and his wife Nicky and has been the mainstay of their Palmerston North stable for the past two years after being purchased by them at Karaka for $8000.

He has now banked more than $175,000 in his 41-start career.

The four-year-old was back in the early running before picking up ground across the top and finished off resolutely under hands and heels riding in the straight to win by a nose.

‘‘We settled back and improved wide and he kept up a strong gallop to the line,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘It was a truly run race and that suited us.’’

WELL-RELATED filly Moon Tide made sure her connections were rewarded for a New Plymouth gamble when she successfully defended her perfect record.

Trained by Frank Ritchie for breeders The Oaks Stud, the daughter of Bachelor Duke was stepped up in class in the 3YO Handicap at New Plymouth yesterday and she rose to the occasion in style.

‘‘We were going to run her in the 1800-metre rating 75 as we think she needs more ground but this was worth $40,000 and for three-year-olds only,’’ the Cambridge farm’s racing manager, Rick Williams said.

Moon Tide had won her previous starts at Te Awamutu and Avondale and is yet another good winner for her dam Fairy Lights.

Meeting: 8 Doubles: 1-2; 3-4; 5-6; 7-8. Trebles: 2-3-4; 6-7-8. Quaddie: 5-6-7-8. Place6: 3-8.