Racing: Azaboy all the way on home turf

Samantha Collett wins Race 6 R D PETROLEUM MAIDEN 1200M on Non Blonde at Ashburton. Photo / Race Images

A bold front-running ride by premiership-leading jockey leader Samantha Collett landed local runner Azaboy a handsome winner of the Group 2 Valachi Downs Championship Stakes (2200m) at Pukekohe.

Part owned by ex-pat Kiwi and Welsh rugby coach Warren Gatland, the Azamour 3-year-old had shown he could handle a testing track when he beat the well-regarded Mongolian Marshal to break his maiden on a heavy surface on his home track back in February.

Collett was at her pace-making best as she dictated a muddling speed in front before booting clear on Azaboy rounding the home bend.

Sent for home the nuggety bay never looked like flinching as he held out all challenges to register a length and a quarter victory from the well favoured Gundown, who pipped Azaboy's stablemate Time Lord for second by a bare nose.

Trainer Richard Collett felt confident as the rain came before the race.

"The showers of rain on the day, including the last one before the race was held, really did help as it slowed the other ones down," he said.

Favourite Sherrif loomed into contention on the turn but never appeared to handle the track conditions as he battled home into a well-beaten fifth.

- NZ Racing Desk