Racing: Change of tactics works

Great judgement from trainer Richard Yuill clinched Group One glory for Prince Kaapstad in the $200,000 Easter Handicap at Ellerslie yesterday.

Yuill was the first to admit he was disappointed in the battling last-start performance when the 4-year-old was unplaced in the New Plymouth Cup.

The Pukekohe trainer then decided to ease up on the training regime and freshen the gelding for a bold 1600m.

Prince Kaapstad overcame a wide barrier draw to sit outside pacemaker Irish Opera and relaxed perfectly for Sam Spratt before kicking clear in the home stretch to win by 1 lengths.

Irish Opera battled on gallantly to hold second in an on-speed dominated event by the same margin from My Astron.

"This race wasn't originally on the radar but he really disappointed me in his last-start when I thought he should have won," said Yuill.

"This horse always runs a mile well when given a little break and this race was the logical choice. We've now won a Group One race with him this season and he can head to the paddock for a well-deserved break.

"I was really worried about the wide draw but when the rain hit Auckland that really threw all logic out the window and this horse can handle that type of track.

"Sam was trapped out a little wide with him from the start but they got up outside the leader and relaxed. The stable has had a good strike rate when we put her in the saddle and she's won a couple of Group One races for me this season."

JOEY MASSINO hit winning form at the right time of the season for Matamata trainer Peter McKay in the $50,000 (Listed) Champagne Stakes.

The speedy son of O'Reilly indicated with a fighting last-start fourth placing behind The Heckler in the Group One Produce Stakes that he was coming into form.

Jockey Vinnie Colgan rode the 2-year-old like he was the best horse in the race - out in front and out of trouble in the indifferent conditions.

Joey Massino was travelling well throughout and dug deep when challenged by stablemate Warrentherooster midway down the home stretch to win by 2 lengths.

Warrentherooster did not help his winning chances ducking outwards under pressure and held second over the solid-closing Bear Heart.

Perhaps it was expecting too much for Joey Massino to live up to the juvenile form displayed by older half-brother Vincent Mangano, but yesterday's victory confirmed this colt is an athlete with an exciting future.

COURSE SPECIALIST Align To Infinity capped a series of consistent performances with a determined victory in the Waste Managment when ridden by Leith Innes.

Innes sent the 4-year-old forward from a wide barrier draw to sit outside the leader and kicked quickly clear of the opposition with 200m remaining.

Align To Infinity had that margin drastically reduced over the closing stages of the race lasting to win by a head over the fast-closing Kurosawa with a further nose back to Mathias.

Align To Infinity is the type of racehorse most owners would enjoy racing as the 4-year-old has scored three wins and six minor placings from 15 starts. His record at Ellerslie is even better-two wins and three minor placings-from seven starts.