KEY POINTS:
Matamata 8-year-old Dezigna has quit his bridesmaid tag this season.
For a horse with a reputation as a professional placegetter, Dezigna has started this season with a vengeance.
He kicked off the spring with a dashing win over 1200m at Ruakaka on September 15 and followed that up with a strong victory in the $100,000 listed GR Kelt Memorial, over 1400m at Hastings on Saturday.
Both times he has carted 59.5kg in the hands of last year's champion apprentice, Troy Harris, son of Noel who had his moment of glory two races later.
Before this season, he had racked up seven wins, eight seconds and 13 thirds from 54 starts.
"He has conquered that fear of winning now," a smiling trainer, Wayne Hillis, said after the race.
Dezigna comfortably held off Kay's Awake and Rabkalajo and Hillis said he would aim for the $100,000 Group One Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham in three weeks.
"He's also in the Couplands Bakeries Mile, but he is probably getting too high up in the handicaps for that now."
He said Dezigna would more likely head to a 2000m weight-for-age race at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day, November 6.
The Matamata branch of the Mike and Paul Moroney stable uncovered a likely staying star in Shariat's On Fire, who held out Everswindell to win the $45,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance open handicap.
Shariat's On Fire, owned by Wellington businessman Ian McCarrison, was a "very promising horse", said Paul Moroney.
He would most likely be aimed at the Counties and Avondale Cups later this year.
The lightly-raced 4-year-old has now won four of his only seven starts and was the least experienced runner in the field, meeting several successful handicappers.
Lisa Cropp gave the son of Keeper a good run just off the pace and he finished best to hold out the favourite, Everswindell.
- NZPA
