Colonel Carrera on a mission
COLONEL Carrera took a giant stride on his march to Ellerslie with victory in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The Duelled four-year-old’s trainers were happy to see him back winning and the weight relief Colonel Carrera received from his previous run was a big factor in the win over the 2100m journey.
‘‘The 60kg he had to carry the other day was just too much for him and the 54kg today[Saturday] was a big factor in him returning to the winner’s circle,’’ Graeme Rogerson, who trains in partnership with wife, Debbie, said.
Obviously Saturday’s race was a qualifying race for the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final on New Year’s Day but Colonel Carrera won’t be on parade in that event.
‘‘He’ll get too much weight in that race,’’ Rogerson said. ‘‘Instead I’m going to run him in the Auckland Cup.’’
The Scot Thrust City Of Auckland Cup, also on New Year’s Day, carries a $200,000 purse compared to the $75,000 for the Dunstan and is 2400m compared to 2200m in the lower grade race.
His trainers have always considered him a quality galloper especially over a trip, another factor in choosing the cup where he should carry a luxury weight.
Premiership leading jockey, Danielle Johnson, gave the horse a beautiful trip in Saturday’s race, which she was quick to point out when unsaddling, where he settled just off a solid pace set by Biologist.
He was travelling like the win- ner a long way from home and when Johnson set him alight the race was all over as he cruised away for an easy win.
King Krovanh came from well back for second in a good rehearsal for the Dunstan Final, although the cup is also under consideration, while Re Deel ran a promising third suggesting he could be also among the runners in the $200,000 feature.
Colonel Carrera was winning just his third race for Graeme Rogerson who owns him in partnership with long-time stable supporter, Max Whitby, of Sydney, but has won nearly $70,000 and has run creditably in some strong races in his 22-start career.
Johnson expressed interest in riding Colonel Carrera at his next start but said she would first need to check with her agent before giving a definite answer.
Although keen to retain her services, Rogerson wasn’t too concerned if he had to find a replacement. ‘‘I don’t think I’ll have any trouble finding a suitable rider after today’s performance.’’