Aldebaran Star Lands 4th Win

23 April 2012

WS graduate Aldebaran Star posted another winning notch on his belt at Hastings on Saturday with the fourth win of his career. The son of No Excuse Needed and the O’Reilly mare Hyades is a half-brother to the Listed winner Tootsie (Pins).

The strapping four-year-old was ridden by Jonathan Riddell for his partner Trina Marshall, who trains the gelding at Awapuni.

“He’s a horse who needs a strong rider and he fought on really well,” she said. “The jar out of the ground helps him and he’ll probably have a couple more starts before he goes out for a spell.”

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.