Blinkered approach works wonders

The decision of trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott to make a gear addition with Neighbourhood had the desired outcome on their home track at Matamata on Wednesday afternoon.

They elected to run the Waikato Stud-bred and raced four-year-old in blinkers and the son of Pins settled well in behind the leading pack.

Joe Doyle had Neighbourhood into the clear on straightening and he finished determinedly to triumph in a driving finish.

The winner of two of his six outings, Neighbourhood is out of the O’Reilly mare Urban and she is a half-sister to the G3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Residential, who also collected three Listed titles.

Urban has an unraced two-year-old filly by Savabeel and a yearling daughter of the champion stallion.