Race 1
Tayla Mitchell, an 18yr-old Cambridge apprentice, had her first win aboard So Much Mour in the Positive Signs (1600m). Mitchell was having her first ride at Wingatui and the 38th of her career. She is a daughter or harness racing horseman Todd Mitchell and trainer Tarissa Macdonald to whom she is apprenticed. Mitchell led throughout on So Much Mour, trained at Riverton by Kelvin and Aimee Tyler. So Much Mour was two and a half lengths clear at the finish.
Photo: Tayla Mitchell weighing after her first win.
Race 2
Melissa Douglas had the thrill of leading June Bug back at the head of the field after the Alleviate Administration 1200m at Wingatui in her capacity as clerk of the course. Douglas is employed by Invercargill stable of Sally McKay, the trainer of June Bug. Melissa rides the 3yr-old filly in much of her work. June Bug (Samantha Wynne), a 3yr-old by Highly Recommended owned by Chris Rowe and Michael Stokes, unwound a powerful finish from mid-field to win by a head.
Photo: Melissa Douglas leading in June Bug after her win.
Race 3
Villanelle won the Happy Birthday Simon Harvey 42 Maiden at Wingatui today when she led throughout the 2200m. Vallanelle is trained at Invercargill by Jo Gordon for Richard Tong, of Cambridge and R S Tomlinson, of Australia. She is a 5yr-old mare by Tavistock from Cyd Charisse (by Zabeel). Villanelle held on to win by half a length from Fah Lun.
Photo: Villanelle with trainer Jo Gordon and jockey Krishna Mudhoo after her win.
Race 4
Hey Mickey got up in the last stride to win the Otago Rugby Football Union 2200m. Hey Mickey (Megan Taylor) raced close up on the outer as No Rigmarole made the pace. Zambezi Zipper reached the lead at the 400m and went clear by three lengths before Hey Mickey wore him down by a nose.
Photo: Hey Mickey prevails in a close finish with Zambezi Zipper.
Race 5
Jack Attack was a decisive winner of the Taieri Premier Colts Maiden (1200m) in his first race for 12 months. Jack Attack, trained by Brian and Shane Anderton for Marilyn Ford, Brendan Ford., Gerry and Scott Ford, Allen Chinn and Rita Turner, was put side to recover from a respiratory infection last June. He led throughout when resuming and won by a length and a quarter. Bred by Marilyn, he is the last of 11 foals left by Look At Moiye (by O’Reilly) and her seventh winner. A 4yr-old by Onceuponatime, he is a brother and stablemate of Our Teddy Boy (five wins)
Photo: Jack Attack with his owners after the win.
Race 6
N b.0Lachie McLachlan, of Mosgiel sold the broodmare Breathe Easy to end his involvement with racing and now has two of her daughters who have won races. Last Bid, a 4yr-old daughter of Ghibellines and Breathe Easy won the Ray White Maiden (1400m). “She was my last bid to earn fame,’’ said McLachlan. Last Bid (by Ghibellines is a sister to Giveherago (three wins). Lachie races Last Bid with his son, Duncan and the Central – South syndicate. McLachlan bred Breathe Easy from Milly Bijou, winner of the 2002 Dunedin Cup. All have been trained at Wingatui by Brian and Shane Anderton.
Photo: Last Bid (Corey Campbell) wins.
Race 7
Fiery Red gave Southland stables their fourth win on an eight-race card. Fiery Red is trained at Winton by Sophie Price, who was co-clerk of the course . Fiery Red is raced by Peter and Liz Forde, of Invercargill. Price and the Fordes combined to win the $60,000 final of the Otago Daily Times Southern Mile series at Wingatui in March.
Photo: Fiery Red (Lee Callaway) back at the head of the field accompanied by trainer Sophie Price.
Race 8
Cheyenne Dreams gave none of her rivals a look in after leading throughout the Central City Car Painters(1400m) in the hands of Chris Johnson. She was having her third start for Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy after joining the stable in February. “She(Cheyenne Dreams) won a race with Sally McKay in November then gave trouble in the starting gates and a change of trainer was thought best,’’ said Peter Dobson, her Wyndham owner. Cheyenne Dreams won by two and half lengths from the McKay-trained La Opcion.
Photo: Cheyenne Dreams with jockey Chris Johnson, trainers Terry and Debbie Kennedy and owner Peter Dobson.