Soriano gives Hutchings big win
RORY HUTCHINGS was thinking of his “second mum” when he stood high in the irons on reaching the winning post on Soriano in yesterday’s $200,000 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie.
The emotion of finally gaining his first Group I win, on a mare owned by Denise Howell, saw one of the most extravagant celebrations in the saddle at Ellerslie for years.
“Denise has been like a second mother to me for the last three and a half years,” said Hutchings of the long-time office manager for trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson.
“She keeps me in a straight line, sorts all my bills, I owe her so much,” Hutchings said. “And no one deserves this Group I more than Denise and Soriano.
“When I came to the stable three and a half years ago I was pretty young [16] but I’ve grown up and matured thanks to Denise and Graeme and Debbie.”
Hutchings, now 19, said he had also gained so much more confidence in the saddle, due to the opportunities the Rogersons have given him.
Hutchings has a career tally of around 300 wins but his Group I chase had been long and fraught.
“I was beaten half a head in this race last year and I’ve been beaten a nose in the Easter Handicap two years in a row.”
Graeme Rogerson said Hutchings’ newfound dedication was illustrated by his schedule yesterday – he was up at 4.30am riding work til 6am, before going for a half hour run in his sweat gear then sitting in the sauna to make the 54.5kg for his winning ride on Allez Eagle in the opening race.
Hutchings said he was confident Soriano, for so long the bridesmaid in big races, could go close in the Zabeel, a fitting race for her to win given the great stallion sired Soriano’s dad Savabeel.
“She’s just felt so much better this time in. I thought she’d win her last start, when she really sprinted hard, and she was that much fitter today.”
Rogerson said five-year-old Soriano, who took her stake earnings to $760,000 yesterday, would make a wonderful broodmare when she is eventually retired and he suspected Howell was keen to send her to champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock.
But before then keen to campaign Rogerson is her in Bris- bane and also wants to tackle next year’s triple crown at Hastings.
“She’s a great mare and she’s not finished yet. I think I’ve trained over 100 winners for Denise and she’ll be at home watching this very proudly.”
Rogerson said it was a fitting result given he thought he’d drawn the short straw yesterday, taking the team to Ellerslie when Debbie got to enjoy the iconic equalisator meeting at Pirongia, where his granddaughter Bailey was competing.
“I’d rather have been at Pironga but this is great. Denise raced this horse’s mum and her grand dam and we raced her sire Savabeel.”
Rogerson said he thought Hutchings was giving the leaders too big a start yesterday, when she was back in the rear with Pondarosa Miss turning for home.
But when Soriano saw daylight she really sprinted, drawing in the leaders who were fanned across the track at the 200.
Pondarosa Miss continued her dramatic comeback by getting up for third and, while unable to catch runner-up Weregoingtogetcha, her finish was impressive.
Trainer Peter Hollinshead said he thought his mare was history when she was forced 10 wide in some home turn bumping.
“I think she’s a dead set stayer and I’m keen to take her to Trentham next month.”
But Hollinshead said he was undecided whether to tackle the Wellington Cup or the Thorndon Mile, a race for which he would be paying a late nomination fee.