Hurdles showdown loom after hard-fought prelude

Wanganui gallopers Van Winkle and Starbo are on track for a hurdling showdown at Trentham next Saturday after fighting out a dour and exciting finish yesterday.
Van Winkle and Paul Taylor won the $30,000 Rexel Electrical Suppliers Open Handicap (2000m) by a nose in 2:19.02 after the Central District stayers fought stride for stride up the shifting and heavy Trentham straight. There were 3 1/2 lengths back to Hawera visitor, Beaudamiss, who was third.

Van Winkle loomed up outside Starbo as if he would sprint past him at the 150 metres but the latter would not lie down. The tough 8-year-old Yachtie gelding, who is trained by the father and daughter combination of Evan and JJ Rayner, impressed his trainer.

Evan Rayner said Van Winkle would line up in next Saturday's Trentham Hurdles if the race attracted enough entries.

"It was a great race and a great result for Wanganui trained horses. I have nominated him for the Hurdles and the Parliamentary Handicap next week.

"I hope the race [Hurdle] gets off the ground because it is worth $45,000 compared to the Parliamentary which is worth $30,000. If the hurdle doesn't happen, he'll line up in the latter," Rayner said.

It was Van Winkle's second win on the flat at Trentham and lifted his career stake earnings to more than $260,000. All up, the Awapuni Hurdles winner has won 14 times and placed on 18 occasions from 59 starts.

"He's never run on the inside [jumping] track at Trentham so it will be a new experience for him. I think he will go well again.

"Longterm, his goals are the Grand National Hurdles [Riccarton] and the Great Northern Hurdles [Ellerslie]."

 

Starbo, the favourite, was courageous in defeat and will take all sorts of getting past in next week's hurdles. His jockey, Laura Tunnell, was having her first raceday ride since 2001 and was looking forward to next week's jumping event.

"Starbo is one of the main reasons I came back. He is an exciting jumper and I just couldn't stay away. I've always been attracted to the jumping side of racing.

"The faster they go over the hurdles the better. I love it and can't wait for next week," said Tunnell who gave birth to her first daughter 16 months ago.

The Trentham-trained Hamilton Road made it four wins from six starts on heavy tracks when out-muscling second favourite Figurinit in the Central Districts Winter Championship.

The $40,000 Open Handicap gave Hamilton Road his first win in three starts on his home track, and it was emphatic. After trailing Figurinit and Rat Tat, the Eddie Carson trained 4-year-old pounced at the home turn and ran away with an easy five-length victory.

It was the Royal Highness gelding's fifth win from nine starts over 1400 metres and sixth from 16 overall. David Walker, who positioned the $5.60 winner perfectly in behind the pace from his two draw, rode the chestnut perfectly. Favourite Rat Tat was 1 1/2 lengths behind Figurinit in third place.

Numbers were down for the feature and richest event on the Wellington Racing Club's card, but it didn't lack quality. Carson said he wouldn't be rushing races.

"To be honest, I don't know what the plan is. I'm not going to panic or rush things but the Winter Handicap at Riccarton is a possibility.

"We'll see how he comes through this race. I doubt if he'll be lining up here next Saturday."

Irish-born Carson has campaigned in Canterbury but has yet to win a race in the South Island.

"It's just a relief to finally win one with this horse on my home track. I only live 15 minutes away. Irish Rover never won a race at Riccarton but I hope this fella can break my duck," Carson said.

 

"I think he will eventually make a good two miler but he's only four and has plenty of time yet."

Canterbury gelding Final Reality justified favouritism in the $27,5000 Nobilo Wine Group sprint and in doing so reaffirmed himself as one of the South Island's best 2-year-olds.

Fresh from his gutsy win in the Castletown Stakes at Foxton on February 6, the son of Howbaddouwantit again got back in the running over the 1200 metres, and it wasn't until half way down the straight that jockey Darryl Bradley started to wind him up.

He won in 1:18.3 and had a long neck and two lengths to spare over roughies, Kenny Starfighter and Southern Gal.

The win was a brave effort considering he had to lug 58kg on the heavy Wellington track - 2.5kg more than any other in the eight horse field.

Bradley dropped him out to last early and they were still near the rear at the top of the straight before winding up through the middle of the pack at the 300 metres.

Kenny Starfighter rushed home late but was never going to get past the $1.85 favourite. It was an encouraging first-up performance by Kenny Starfighter after his trial win at Otaki in May. He is also worth following as a late 2-year-old and early 3-year-old.

Final Reality's Riccarton trainer, Michael Pitman, said the bay gelding would now target the Ryder Stakes, and the Wanganui and Hawkes Bay Guineas. He has won three of his nine starts and placed in four others for just over $50,000 in stakes.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY