Waikato Stallions Secure High Five At Riccarton

Riccarton’s ten race card on Saturday featured two black type races with Savabeel’s sons finishing first and second in the Listed Sporting Classic, with another of his runners winning impressively earlier in the meeting, while Ocean Park produced the winners of two races and Ardrossan ended the program with a winner.

Consistent performer Sir Albert, who was bred by Waikato Stud, found his way to the top step of the podium in the Listed Spring Classic for the second time, having previously won the race 12 months prior.

In winning the race, the Terri Rae-trained Sir Albert defeated fellow Savabeel gelding Hakkinen who was himself coming off the back of an almost three length win the start prior.

“He travelled into the race nicely, but when he was in front all I was thinking was it is a long way down that straight,” said jockey Leah Hemi.

“We got into a perfect spot during the running, and the tempo was good although I thought it may have been a little stronger.

“He always goes through a flat spot around the 600m, so I had a growl at him, and he picked up the bit and travelled strongly from there.

“He can sustain a good gallop, but I could see the shadow of Hakkinen getting closer, so I was watching that then the winning post and hoping it came up first.

“He is really going well and took a wee while to pull up round the back straight. He is going to the TAB Mile, where he ran second, and I think he is going just as well this year.”

Sir Albert holds a nomination for the G3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on 11 November where he is currently rated an $8 Fixed Odds chance.

Favourite for the TAB Mile is Ocean Park’s Mystic Park, a winner of the race prior, the TAB Mile Prelude (1400m).

Arguably in better form than when he won last year’s G3 Tab Mile, the Michael and Matthew Pitman trained gelding looks surely hard to beat in the upcoming feature race.

Interesting last year’s TAB Mile was a one-two-three finish for the Waikato stallions with Mystic Park defeating Sir Albert with Ardrossan gelding Cannon Hill finishing third, with all three likely to be headed to the same race this time around.

Earlier on in the meeting, the WS bred Ocean Park’s mare Burnside Lass impressed with victory in the first of the day over for Kevin Myers before Savabeel’s, Caley Myers trained McGrath won by two lengths to give jockey Floor Moerman the first two winners at the meeting.

The final race of the day saw Kelvin Tyler’s Ardrossan mare Indie Ardie record his fourth career victory. Bred by Jamieson Park, connections secured themselves a bargain, parting ways with just $7,500 when purchase her at the yearling sales.

All in all, it was a super exciting day for the Waikato stallions, with not only five winners at Riccarton, but 3yo Ardrossan colt Wonderful You impressed with a fighting debut win at Ellerslie before the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson trained Savabeel mare Top Shelf recorded success a few races later.

Across the Tasman, Ocean Park secured three winners in Australia including Girt By Sea who broke her maiden at just her second start. A full sister to multiple G1 winner Tofane, Girt By Sea has been lightly raced and looks to have further improvement in her.

Meanwhile at Randwick, Ocean Tsunami added a fourth win to his record with the Scott Singleton gelding taking out the TAB Highway Hcp over 1600 metres.

Waikato Stud would like to extend their congratulations to all the winning connections.