Race 1: Green Island Grizzlies Maiden, $15,000, 1600m
Mininjagirl broke through for a win after nine minor placings in as many earlier starts. The 4yr-old Proisir - Jodie mare was ridden by her Waikouaiti trainer Lee Callaway. Mininjagirl gave Lee’s wife, Mecaela, her first win as an owner. Mininjagirl was purchased on gavelhouse.com. She tracked the leaders Irish Moss and Eccellenza, got a split near the 200m and came on to win by a length and a quarter.
Photo: Myninjagirl with Mecaela and Lee Callaway after her win.
Strong report Race 2: Nellies Bar and Restaurant rating 75, $30,000, 1600m
Wild Rover prevailed in a close finish. Trained by Michael and Matthew Pitman and ridden by Kavish Chowdhoory, Wild Rover reached the front near the 200m after trailing in fourth slot and won by a neck from Eavesdrop, who ran on from seventh. There was half a length to Jakkalnuts, who ran on from the rear with a neck to Classic Diva.
Photo: Wild Rover wins in a close finish.
Race 3: The Mosgiel Tavern, rating 83, $35,000, 1400m
Sea Shepherd justified his favouritism with a game win. He was slow away, settled fifth and lifted in the closing stages to win by a neck under 58kg. “ He is a tough wee horse,” said his rider Corey Campbell, who is looking forward to riding Sea Shepherd in the Winter Cup. Sea Shepherd will join the Pitman stable on Tuesday after travelling to Christchurch with his Invercargill trainer and part-owner Sabin Kirkland. In Disguise did well for a horse who had won a maiden race at her previous start. Goodanya was a length and a quarter back third.
Photo: Sea Shepherd wins narrowly from In Disguise.
Strong report Race 4: Positive Signs + Print, rating 85, $35,000, 2200m
Sutherland, in his favourite role of pacemaker, fought on bravely to win. He lasted by a head from Par Tee, who raced on his outer for most of the way. There was a length and three quarters to Hey Mickey. Krishna Mudhoo, who rode Sutherland was unwell immediately after the race and he was replaced by Terry Moseley on Villanelle in the next race. It was the sixth win for Sutherland, raced by his Invercargill trainer Jo Gordon and Jaron Alexander.
Photo: Sutherland hold off Par Tee to win.
Race 5: Property Brokers, rating 65, $30,000, 2200m
Anticipate made it a one-horse race. Anticipate (Gosen Jogoo) settled seventh on the inner, improved on the outer from the 600m, led at the 300m and cleared out by seven and a quarter lengths. The half sister by Ghibellines to dual NZ Cup and Wellington Cup winner Blood Brotha is trained at Wingatui by Terry and Debbie Kennedy, who have her leased.
Photo: Anticipate out on her own at the finish.
Race 6: Dunedin City Motors, rating 75, $30,000, 1200m
Redmond confirmed his class when he won after being headed in the final 200m. Redmond had not raced for five months since transferring to trainer Terry Kennedy to iron out barrier issues. He was not entirely happy in the heavy ground according to rider Yogesh Atchamah. He bounced out from a wide draw made the pace and he was headed by The Good Shepherd before he came back to win by a head. Redmond will now return to the Washdyke stable of Bruce Tapper and Varma Ramhit.
Photo: Redmond (yellow colours) wins from The Good Shepherd.
Race 7: Bailey Kennedy Edinburgh Realty Maiden, $15,000, 1400m
Flick The Switch staged a big run wide to win decisively. The 4yr-old Turn Me Loose mare is trained at Riverton by Kelly Shearing, who races her with Richard Collier, a Winton farrier. Flick The Switch (Kylie Williams) came from seventh at the 500m to win by two lengths from Reindelariviere with a head to the favourite Imabuster, who raced handy to the pacemaker, Throw The Dice.
Photo: Flick The Switch with Richard Collier, Kelly Shearing, Kaydence Ferguson and jockey Kylie Williams.
Race 8: Central City Car Painters, $30,000, 1400m
Arctic Glow completed a treble of wins on the programme for Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy when she came from last early in a 16-horse field to win. Arctic Glow, who joined the stable to rectify barrier problems, has now won twice from three starts for owners, including Mickle Weastell, who trained The Turn Me Loose mare for her other win. Arctic Glow won by two and a quarter lengths from Industrialist with five and a quarter lengths to Stop Yelling.
Photo: Trainer Terry Kennedy after is treble of wins.