Raider back in winning form
Ocean Raider turned his form around at Geelong on Boxing Day to post his second career victory.
Trained by Robbie Griffiths and Mathew De Kock, the four-year-old had been below par at Sandown earlier this month and bounced back in style over 1530 metres.
He was parked three and four wide at the back of the field before jockey Craig Newitt made his move near the turn and the gelding responded with an irresistible finish.
Bred by Waikato Stud, Ocean Raider was originally purchased off the Gavelhouse platform by Albury trainer Mitch Beer for $9,250 and then made $160,000 to the bid of Griffiths and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
He is a son of Ocean Park and the O’Reilly mare We Love, also the dam of the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas placegetter Marine. He is now racing in Hong Kong as Jumbo Future.
We Love, who also has an unraced Ocean Park juvenile filly, is a half-sister to the Listed Widden S. winner Delta Girl and the family of the Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win and the G1 Livamol Classic winner Savy Yong Blonk.
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It is not the easiest role, that of Chairman of our Thoroughbred Racing Board. Like all chairmanships, one’s mind is rarely not occupied with the responsibility. To our Chairman, I say thanks. A lifetime in the industry, Chairman of our largest club, it is difficult to identify someone more suited to the role.
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