Winton galloper likes wet tracks
Sophie Price is close to conquering one of her goals in horse racing.
She’s always wanted to train a winner at Riccarton – the South Island’s premier galloping track in Christchurch. The Winton horsewoman has only had placings there, but her luck could be about to change with her latest star, Silent Battler, preparing to race at Riccarton on May 8.
However, there is one catch – he needs a wet track.
‘‘It’s got to rain up there, otherwise I’ll have to look at something else,’’ Price said.
She only trains a handful of horses at any one time but is seldom without a handy runner in the stable. Her former star, Motorboat Mike, raced seven times at Riccarton, including an unplaced run in the
New Zealand Cup.
Motorboat Mike retired with seven wins and earnings of $178,875. One of his owners, Southland builder Ben McHugh, now shares the ownership of Silent Battler with Price’s husband, Corey, and father, Richard Hall.
A day at the races was made more enjoyable when owning a good horse, McHugh said.
Silent Battler’s six race starts have produced three wins, a second, a third and a fourth. His latest win was at Ascot Park on Sunday.
‘‘He’s looking all right,’’ McHugh said.
‘‘We’re having a lot of fun . . . for us, it’s a good social thing getting together and following the horse round the tracks.’’
Silent Battler trialled once in the Waikato, for a fourth, before transferring to Price’s property in December, 2019. Price was pregnant at the time and arranged for
Invercargill trainer Sally McKay to work him up but three months later the country went into lockdown.
The 4-year-old gelding was returned to Price and spelled.
‘‘He’s got all the ability in the world but is still very green,’’ she said.
The Winter Cup at Riccarton in August is Silent Battler’s long range target.
The Mole, Denali and Fiery Red are others in Price’s stable.
A 5-year-old mare, The Mole has picked up a win and a second in her past two starts and is a prospect for the Wairio Cup at Ascot Park on May 16.
Denali is close to winning after finishing third and fourth in two starts since being leased from North Island interests.
Price was pleased with Fiery Red’s win at the Riverton jump outs on Monday. Fiery Red and Denali will race at Riverton on May 6.