Classic Dye aboard Needlly

WS graduate Needlly proved a willing partner for Shane Dye to showcase his riding talent at Ellerslie on Saturday. The O’Reilly five-year-old recorded the third win of her current preparation and trainer Lance Noble was quick to put all the credit on his jockey.

“It was an outstanding ride and the Shane Dye of old,” he said. “She drew wide and was on the fence after 200 metres, got the split and he drove her through.” Dye had also been successful aboard the mare on the track two starts back before finishing fourth at Tauranga after she had reared at barrier rise. “Give me the chance and I’ll ride winners, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

Bred by Mary Chittick, Needlly was purchased by Noble for $40,000 out of WS’s 2009 Select Sale consignment to Karaka. She is out of the winning Pins mare Needled who is a sister to Rhysess (Gr 3 Cuddle Stakes.

The Matamata stud also claimed victory in the main event at Trentham where Pins’ son Jack’s Point successfully resumed his career. He returned after a three month break to win the Final Touch Cup and the eighth win of his career.

A $140,000 yearling purchase in 2008, Jack’s Point is out of the multiple winner Activate. The Kinjite mare is a three-quarter sister to the Gr 2 Sha Tin Vase winner Astimonti and the Gr 3 Summer Cup winner Zanetta.