No Tricks gets a deserved reward with Riccarton victory

23 April 2015

North Island three-year-old filly No Tricks gained a deserved reward for a string of consistent runs when she turned the tables on her conqueror from the previous week to capture the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton last Saturday.

Narrowly beaten by race rival Consensus over 1600 metres on the same track a week ago, No Tricks reversed the placings on this occasion as she forged clear in the closing stages of the contest after enjoying a perfect run in transit throughout the race.

Trainer Jason Bridgman was delighted with the win after the filly had put together a string of minor placings throughout her summer campaign.

“She deserved that win as she has been going some top races without managing to get a victory,” noted Bridgman.

“She had done well during the week and we went into the race with confidence but it was her first time over a middle distance so there was a little doubt there because of that factor although her breeding suggested she would cope with it.

“She has come a long way in this preparation as she was inclined to over-race quite fiercely in her early runs but now she seems to want to settle a lot better and that was a big help to her on Saturday.”

The Corner with Garry Chittick

No Corner last week; this week the Annual Thoroughbred Racing Awards night certainly deserves acknowledgment. It is the second of two nights of measurement of Thoroughbred achievements for the year, with the first focussing on our Breeders’ awards.

9 September 2026

Savabeel’s Group 1 daughter Belle Cheval retired

Belle Cheval, by champion sire Savabeel, enjoyed a stellar career: placing in the NZ 1000 Guineas, winning the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus Stakes, finishing second in The Kiwi, then claiming Group 1 glory in Australia’s Vinery Stud Stakes before retiring to broodmare duties.