The red-hot Te Akau Racing team added another major trophy to their already bulging summer cabinet when progressive sprinter Splurge scored a telling victory in the group three Darley Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Co-trainer Stephen Autridge has made no secret of the regard he holds for the four-year-old Savabeel gelding who collected his first stakes victory and sixth win from just 10 starts with a comprehensive performance.
"He's always been a racehorse who just knows where the winning post is," he explained.
"It doesn't matter whether it's a good track or a wet track he always puts in. We were a bit concerned it may have been a bit short for him today but he's a real racehorse."
Fresh off a comfortable win in rating 85 company over a similar distance a fortnight ago, Splurge took the rise in grade in his stride as he provided leading jockey Opie Bosson with an armchair ride.
