Strong report Otago Racing Club meeting at Wingatui, 26/12/25
Weather, fine; track, soft (7), rail, true position.
Race 1: Positive Signs+ Print Maiden, $25,000, 1400m
Former successful jockey Patrick Holmes was represented as an owner when Silver Lining won nicely.
He races the 4yr-old Vadamos mare with his partner and trainer Ashley Frye.
Silver Lining was given a good run close to the pace by apprentice Triston Moodley and won by a length.
Race 2: Otago Engineering rating 65, $40,000, 200m
Trader resumed from a nine month break with a win.
It was his second preparation with Brian and Shane Anderton since a wind operation.
Ridden by Corey Campbell, Trader finished boldly from fifth to win by a length and three quarters from Hakadecree, who also shaped well fresh. He led early then trailed.
Hivari staged a big late run for third.
Race 3 KB Contractors Handicap, open, $50,000, 1200m
Brave Spirit won at his first start in open ranks when he downed a useful field.
It was his second win in three starts since joining the Wingatui stable of Joe Waldron.
Brave Spirit (Triston Moodley) led out then trailed pacemaker Tikki and came along the inner in the home straight to win by three parts of a length.
Tikki (in blinkers) fought on for second and Pete’s Pride stormed home from last for third, ahead of Inflamed, who did well under 58kg.
Race 4: Property Brokers – Ray Kean rating 65, $40,000, 2200m
Generation Joy gave further tribute to her deceased sire, Ghibellines when she stepped up in distance.
Generation Joy (Rohan Mudhoo) trailed close to the pace and won by half a length from Indie Ardie, who staged a big run from well back beginning the run home.
Marella Miss followed up a win at Gore with sound effort along the inner for third.
Ghibellines had sired an earlier winner today in Trader.
Ghibellines, the sire of Smokin’ Romans (group one Turnbull Stakes) died yesterday. He stood at the White Robe Lodge, North Taieri.
Ghibellines died in Christchurch en route to China. He was 14. Ghibellines (Shamardal – Camarilla) was bred in Australia.
Race 5- Grand Casino Handicap, open, $50,000, 2200m
Mayor Of Norwood continued his preparation for the Wellington Cup with a resounding win.
Mayor Of Norwood (Corey Campbell) trailed the leader Complicate, came to the fore at the 200m and won by a length and three quarters from his stablemate Capo Dell Impero who stormed home from last at the 350m.
Both sons of Ghibellines – Gallant Babe are trained by Brian and Shane Anderton.
Ess Vee Are came from seventh on the inner for third.
Race 6 -NZB Airfreight Stakes, $100,000, 3yo fillies, 1400m
It was a big pay day for owners Jim and Craig Hunter, the stable of Terry and Debbie Kennedy and jockey Rohan Mudhoo after Bobby Mcgee prevailed.
The same combination had won two races earlier with her half sister, Generation Joy.
Bobby Mcgee (by Ancient Spirit) and Generation Joy (by Ghibellines) were bred by the Hunters from Lucille (by Remind).
Bobby Mcgee came on the scene late from fifth in the running to win by half a neck from Miss Starlight, who had dashed to the lead at the 900m. There was half a length to Cool Aza Rene who came along the inner from three back.
Race 7 ODT Southern Mile Heat, rating 65, $50,000, 1600m
Southern Country sustained a powerful run to win after racing three wide.
He gave jockey Corey Campbell his third win for the day with the trio trained by Brian and Shane Anderton.
Southern Country came from mid-field to score by half a head from Endean Affair who ran on from seventh.
Akenehi was two lengths back third with Cimarron a creditable fourth.
Race 8 ODT Southern Mile Heat, rating 75, $50,000, 1600m
Loose Sally, who was held up in the run home after settling well off the pace, lifted stylishly over the final 50m to win.
It was her fifth win in nine starts for the Shankar Muniandy-trained mare.
Loose Sally (Ruvanesh Muniandy) out-finished No Party (four wins from six starts) by half a length with half a neck to Airpark Hustler.
Our Approval and Afire were close up fourth and fifth.