ONE OF THE features of tomorrow's race day at Ruakaka is the Librettist 2YO Challenge handicap.
This will be the second leg of the Westbury Stud sponsored triple crown series solely for two-year-olds.
Five local horses look as if they will all make it to the final fields including Ruakaka bred ownedand trained bay filly Aimees Gold.
Vince Roberts purchased his first thoroughbred broodmare, Star Kingdom the chestnut mare Tonic Star. Included in the purchase was her foal at foot Aimees Star and the beginning of a line of Aimee's to be trained and raced from the Roberts property on Doctors Hill Road.
The foal at foot won three races in quick succession early in her career, two of these as a two-year-old. Turned out to stud, Aimees Star produced the multiple winning Aimees Idol whom throughout her limited career won six races and was stakes placed on 17 occasions until injury curtailed her career. From the sire D'Cash, Aimees Star then produced Aimees Cash who was also an impressive winner as a two-year-old before producing the current stable star Aimees Gold.
Ruakaka trainer Vince Roberts tells us that he is happy with her work.
A confident Tasha Collett will take the ride, having also been on board when winning her debut trial.
Another of the features at the Whangarei Racing Clubs June meeting is the third running of the Bob Tait Memorial Cup.
A private on course function is being held to celebrate a great racing club stalwart - a man whose owning and breeding career in racing spanned more than 50 years. For thirty of those, Tait held various positions within the committee of the club which included that of both president and patron.
A larger than life character, Tait was a well respected Northland businessman and widely known for his commitment to grass roots racing.
Tait owned and trained many good horses in particular Royal Fair who was the winner of 10 races.
The Whangarei Racing Club are delighted to continue to support the Memorial Cup which is after all named after one of racing's true characters.
