Racing: Blown start costs smart filly dearly

Rider Thomas Russell says he has no idea what made well-fancied Donna Rosita blow the start in Saturday's $50,000 Breeders Stakes at Ruakaka.

What he is sure of is that the brilliant filly would have won the race instead of finishing a terrific third if she'd decided to jump away cleanly.

Donna Rosita was last away, looped the entire field at the end of the back straight and held on for a gutsy spell.

"It was a huge effort," said Russell.

Donna Rosita is to be spelled and she should come back a more professional filly.

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Trainer Paul Jenkins can see the upside in veteran King Keitel being just nosed out of a win in the $20,000 Whangarei Cup by Northern Beau.

"He won't get any more weight now for the Taumarunui Cup, which is worth more money."

King Keitel tried hard under a big weight on Saturday and just yielded to Northern Beau who carried 5kg less and Michael Walker.

Co-trainer Donna Logan said Northern Beau is also likely to be aimed at the Taumarunui cup.

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Reese Jones rode a winning treble on Saturday and is tipping a promising future for one of them, Ave Maree. "That won't be her last win," said Jones, "she finished that off really well."

Jones was successful on Recourse and Pin Up Boy.

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Opiki will get a shot at defending his group three Stewards Handicap title after his sprint win.

The Matamata sprinter came into the race nicely weighted for trainer John Sargent and with apprentice Claire Anderson in the saddle he showed plenty of grit to hold out the local Double Ar Be.