Justamaiz delivers prize
Local galloper Justamaiz left no excuses for his rivals as he led all the way, to capture the $100,000 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa yesterday.
The free-going Guillotine fiveyear-old was rated perfectly by rider Sam Spratt, who judged her ride nicely on the David Greenetrained runner, who had adopted similar tactics at his last start when successful over the same distance at Pukekohe.
Spratt took control of the contest as she jumped Justamaiz away nicely from an outside barrier to dispute the early lead with Masetto, before taking over in front with 2000m to run.
Allowed to dictate the terms, it was obvious at the 600m that Justamaiz was going to be hard to catch.
Masetto, who had enjoyed the trail throughout, got the closest, but was still two lengths in arrears at the winning post, with New Plymouth visitor Dezella finishing off strongly to take third.
Greene, who had made a pledge to his father that they would win the cup this year after Justamaiz had finished second 12 months earlier in a minor race on the card, cut a relieved figure after the race.
‘‘Once he gets into autopilot like that, he just strings furlongs together,’’ Greene said.
‘‘That is what Sam does so well and with a bit of a kick on the way home, he’s a pretty good stayer, I think.
‘‘He’s going great and keeps improving and we think he can get two miles as well, so hopefully he can keep kicking on from here.’’ Greene will now set his sights on the City Of Auckland (2400m) Cup at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, although he does hold some reservations about the event.
‘‘We’ll go to the City Of Auckland Cup, but we seem to go terribly every time we go to Ellerslie,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ll try again and then we’ll either go to the Wellington Cup ( 3200m) or have a freshen up before the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and then the Auckland Cup (3200m).
Bred by the Greene family, Justamaiz has now won six of his 21 starts for the family, who race him in conjunction with Jack and Sue Thorburn and Quentin Maisey.
UNDER-RATED mare The Real Beel made a winning return from a disappointing Australian spring campaign when she stormed home to take out the $100,000 Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.
The pint-sized Savabeel fouryear-old had four unplaced runs in Melbourne during September and October for trainer David Brideoake before returning home for owner Garry Chittick.
Returned to the care of her original mentor Jim Pender, The Real Beel had been taken along quietly before stepping out in public for the first time at the Te
Aroha trials 11 days ago, where she registered an impressive effort to down top-class sprinter Volpe Veloce over 1000m.
Sporting the Chittick family’s famous Waikato Stud colours, The Real Beel was allowed to start at outside odds of $25 and defied her critics to register an all-important black type victory.
Rider Craig Grylls produced a peach of an effort as he guided The Real Beel into a challenging position nearing the home turn after enjoying a cosy run.