Constantine rules in speed contest

Martinborough horsewoman Anna Stephen and Constantine justified their top billing for the Wairarapa Speed Stakes at the Wairarapa show jumping and show hunter championships at Solway Showgrounds on Sunday.
The duo were expected to call the tune after their success in the 2009 New Zealand Speed Horse of the Year competition but with Constantine coming off a three-week break and a limited preparation Stephen herself was not exactly brimming with confidence going into the event.
"I was hopeful we would be competitive but no more than that" Stephen said. "And really you can't be too confident in speed events anyway, it only takes one mistake by either horse or rider and you're gone".
As it happened Stephen needed have worried. Constantine never put a foot wrong and the combination clocked a slick 71secs around the tight course, 2secs quicker than runner-up, Desiree Foxley of Hawke's Bay on Knight Templar. Third was Melanie Purcell of Whakatane on Hikurangi Bro.
Reflecting on her winning performance Stephen was "stoked" at the way things went, saying Constantine had measured his fences well and got away from them quickly enough to ensure he clocked a time which would make him hard to beat.
"He (Constantine) is a clever horse, he knows what he has to do and generally he goes out there and does it," Stephen said. "Sometimes he can be a bit smart for his own good but not often.".
So well is Constantine performing in speed competitions, in fact, that Stephen is starting to think he has become something of a specialist in the role.
" He's a pretty capable all-round jumper but, yes, he does seem to leave his best for the speed events," she said. "Obviously they suit his temperament, he prefers to go out there and get stuck in.".
Another feature event on Sunday's programme was the Junior Rider competition and Wairarapa's Nicky Booth did well to place fifth on Seven Up in a quality field. Winner was George Thorburn of Dannevirke on Cheque Book..