Race 1: Ricoh Maiden, $15,000, 1600m
Lockdown Legacy, who owes his name to the lockdown during the Covid pandemic, won carrying colours made famous in harness racing. Syd Brown, who races the 4yr-old Zacinto – Sensibility gelding with his wife, Shona related the connection: “I bought him on Gavelhouse during the lockdown and our daughter Deidre suggested the name.” Lockdown Legacy was wearing the colours of royal blue and yellow chequers carried in a host of harness racing wins for the Browns. The winners include Field Marshal, winner of the 2018 Miracle Mile at Menangle in 1.46.9, the fastest mile time recorded in New Zealand and Australia. “This was only the second time he (Lockdown Legacy) had worn the colours. He previously raced in the colours of trainer Claire Anderton,” said Syd. “Foreal, the dam of Field Marshal had a colt by Always B Miki yesterday and we felt that was a good omen.”
Photo: Shona and Syd Brown who race Lockdown Legacy.
Race 2: Dunedin City Motors, rating 75, $30,000, 1600m
Jo- Anne Dalton surpassed $1 million in stake earnings for her Invercargill stable when Jimmy Five posted his fifth win. It was the 400th win for Samantha Wynne, who rode Jimmy Five. Dalton has now trained the winners of 83 races since her first win in the 2000-01 season. Jimmy Five out finished the brave Anjameme, who made the pace.
Photo: Jimmy Five with trainer Jo-Anne Dalton and jockey Samantha Wynne after his win.
Race 3: Speight’s Maiden, $15,000, 1400m
Pickens stormed home through narrow gaps from back in the field to win for owners Craig Hunter, his father, Jim, Andrew Scott, Dean Tag and Ant Ford. The 4yr-old Belardo – She’s Remarkable mare was ridden by Shankar Muniandy for Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy. Pickens had not raced since April.
Photo: Pickens with part-owner Craig Hunter (right) and stablehand Bill McEwan after her win.
Race 4: Grand Casino, open handicap, $40,000, 1400m
Exchange justified his favouritism with a narrow but sound win. “Depending on how he comes through the race we will look at the last day of the New Zealand Cup meeting,” said co-trainer Shane Anderton of Exchange who has won his two starts in a fresh campaign for owners Ray and Alison Kean, Ian and Sue Nichol. The Anderton had won the corresponding race three years in a row with Gallant Boy.
Photo: Exchange with co-trainer Shane Anderton (left) and owners, Sue and Ian Nichol, Alison and Ray Kean after his win.
Race 5: Colin McDonald Memorial Maiden, $15,000, 1200m
Atomic won first up for the stable of Terry Kennedy and the Cooper and Co syndicate #2. The 4yr-old Sooboog mare joined the stable three months ago after being leased out of the Weatherley stable at Matamata. Atomic was ridden by apprentive Megan Taylor.
Photo: Atomic after her win with syndicate members, Paul and Janine Barnes.
Race 6: Positive Signs rating 75, $30,000, 2200m
Trainer Robert Dennis had his six-month-old daughter Harriet as an onlooker when his horses Heidi Hi won. Harriet was in arms of her mother, Aleisha as Heidi Hi won by half a length in the hands of Kylie Williams and confirmed a start in the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton. Heidi Hi tracked the leader Camping for most of the way and held off Pinhead. The well supported Eavesdrop was badly checked in the run home.
Photo: Heidi Hi with trainer Robert Dennis and his six-month-old daughter Harriet in the arms of her mother Aleisha after her win.
Race 7: Target Accounting rating 65, $30,000, 1200m
“I didn’t fancy his chances from where he came from,” said trainer Sally McKay after Henry Hubber stormed home to win the Target Accounting rating 65 1200m. Henry Hubber (Tina Comignaghi) settled last in a 14-horse field and he was still there at the 350m. He powered home to win by a length from Deceptio Visus.
Photo: Henry Hubber (Tina Comignaghi) wins.
Race 8: Property Brokers Dunedin rating 75, 1200m
Emanon gave apprentice jockey Sanu Toolooa compensation with her win. Toolooa was badly checked when riding Eavesdrop two races earlier. Emanon raced handy and prevailed a close finish with Tap ‘N’ Go and Leroy. The 4yr-old Burgundy mare, who paid $15.50 to win, is trained at Orari by Lionel Dobbs, who races her with Janine Young.
Photo: Emanon with trainer Lionel Dobbs (second) from left, co-owner, Janine Young and jockey Sanu Toolooa after her win.
Race 9: Nellies Bar and Restaurant, rating 65, $30,000, 1400m
Sokanon provided a highlight of the day with his dashing win. “He is a really good horse,” said his trainer Terry Kennedy, who won with Pickens and Atomic earlier in the day. Sokanon, who had not raced since February, was three wide early then settled fourth, one out. He lifted superbly in the closing stages to win by four and a half lengths.
Photo: Sokanon (Shankar Muniandy) out on his own at finish.