Race 1 Grand Casino Maiden, 820m
A successful association was renewed when Elsie May won at her first start. She is raced by Wayne and Karen Stewart with their son, Jack and his wife, Emma; ridden by Courtney Barnes and trained by Brian and Shane Anderton. Barnes rode Include, trained by the Andertons and raced by Wayne and Karen, in her 10 wins, including the 2014 Dunedin and Southland Guineas and South Island Breeders’ Stakes. “It was good to see those colours again,” said Wayne. Elsie May wore the dark green colours with white stars worn by Include. “Jack bought her at the Valachi Downs dispersal sale after he inspected all the stock. We liked the family and she had won a trial.” Elsie May, a 3yr-old filly by Time Test - Rosaeflora, has been nominated for the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton in November.
Photo: Elsie May with jockey Courtney Barnes, Wayne, Jack, Emma, and Karen Stewart.
Race 2 Positive Signs Maiden, 1200m
Washdyke trainer Bruce Tapper has his sights on the Hawkes Bay meeting on October 1 with the winner Specialty. The 3yr-old followed up a good fourth behind his stablemate Redmond at Riccarton six days earlier. “We are looking at the Hawkes’s Bay Guineas or a $50,000 race for maidens on July 20 with Speciality,’’ said Tapper, who trains the son of Rip Van Winkle for Clearview Park Ltd, a stud operated by his son, Aaron. Redmond would accompany Specialty to Hastings. Specialty was given the run of the race by stable apprentice, Yogesh Atchamah and came through to win by half a length from William John with a nose to Mooloolaba, who raced keenly when fourth in the running.
Photo: Specialty with trainer Bruce Tapper and apprentice Yogesh Atchamah after his win.
Race 3 Dunedin City Ford, 1600m
Facetime, who had been runner up in her three previous starts, broke through for a win. Ridden by Kylie Williams, she led throughout and held on by a length from Anjameme, who had every chance. Facetime is a 7yr-old mare by Ocean Park trained at Riccarton by Terri Rae.
Photo: Facetime wins comfortably.
Race 4 Property Brokers Dunedin Maiden, 1600m
Belle De Val was untroubled to win. She made the pace from a wide draw in the hands of Krishna Mudhoo and won by two and a half lengths. It was well deserved after placings in her four previous starts. A 5yr-old mare by Highly Recommended – Vannista Belle, she is raced by Aaron Tapper and trained at Washdyke by Len Stewart.
Photo: A happy team after the win of Belle De Val.
Race 5 Thanks Terry and Deb from Green Island Grizzlies, 1600m
Final Savings confirmed his liking for the Wingatui track with a convincing win under 58kg. Ridden by Diego Montes de Oca, he settled fourth from a wide draw and came clear in the run home to win by two and a quarter lengths. Final Savings, owned and trained by John and Karen Parsons, has now gained three of his six wins at Wingatui.
Photo: Final Savings is untroubled to win under topweight of 58kg.
Race 6 Nellies Bar and Restaurant, 1200m
Russian Fable gave jockey Kylie Williams her second win for the day with a front running performance. The Zacinto mare is raced by Nigel Babbage, of Christchurch and trained at Riccarton by Andrew Carston. She was previously trained by Kevin and Pam Hughes, who have retired from training. Russian Fable won by two and three quarter lengths from Kerany, who attended her in the lead.
Photo: Russian Fable (Kylie Williams) in full flight at the finish.
Race 7 NZB Insurance Pearl series maiden, 1200m
Anahera gave young Ashburton trainer Emma Wyatt her second career win. She trains Anahera for Kahukuri Bloodstock Ltd. Anahera is a 5yr-old mare by Ghibellines – Ceebeel (by Savabeel). Anahera, ridden by Terry Moseley, disputed the pace outside Cats In The Cradle and held off a strong late run from Go Lotte to win by a neck. Go Lotte was slow away and still had six horses ahead of her beginning the run home. Wyatt had her other win with Onceaconner at Riccarton in December.
Photo: Anahera and trainer Emma Wyatt