Racing: Chaparella kicks off Misbah's career in style

Chaparella bolts in at Wingatui, much to the delight of Jay Misbah. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Otago horseman Jay Misbah marked his first day as a fully-fledged jockey on Saturday by winning his first listed race after piloting Chaparella in the $45,000 New Bloodstock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Wingatui.

The occasion was slightly dampened by a $200 fine for a celebratory gesture short of the line.

Chaparella stormed home from back in the field to win by 1 lengths from Pukekohe filly The Beekeeper, who led.

Chaparella is now sharing the lead with Brown Eyed Grace in the southern Filly of the Year series. Both have seven points, four clear of Te Akau Rose.

The daughter of High Chaparrel has been confirmed a starter by trainer Steven Prince for the next race in the series over 1600m at Riccarton on April 10. The Wingatui trainer will then consider the final race, the Warstep Stakes (2000m) on April 24.

Jason Collett, who rode The Beekeeper, had an appeal against a suspension and fine upheld in Auckland on Friday. He had appealed against a five-day suspension and $500 fine for careless riding on The Beekeeper when winning the Southland Guineas at Riccarton on February 27.

He was riding under a stay of proceedings on Saturday.

The Judicial Control Authority kept the betting public in the dark regarding the appeal.

Chief stipendiary steward Cameron George confirmed yesterday that Matamata jockey Jason Waddell had appealed against a five-day suspension for careless riding at Ellerslie last Wednesday.

George said the JCA would have to decide if Waddell would be given a stay of proceedings to continue riding until the appeal was heard.

Well-performed sprinter-miler Coup Bloomsbury has been retired, his Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman citing the absence of apprentice allowances in open races.

"It is only through the stupidity of not being able to claim an apprentice allowance that we have decided to retire him," Pitman said.

There has been a move away from programming open sprint races with apprentice allowances in the South Island. "It is beyond me why this is being done when there are allowances in most of the open sprints in the North Island."

He said the move was to the disadvantage of apprentices who lost the opportunity to ride experienced horses.

"Hundreds of apprentices have been able to gain confidence by riding good horses and these opportunities are not now available."

Pitman said he had made the decision to retire Coup Bloomsbury after discussion with Ray Coupland, the owner of the 8-year-old gelding.

Coup Bloomsbury ran fourth in the open 1200m at Wingatui on Saturday under topweight of 58kg. His most recent win was over 1200m at Gore in January when ridden by stable apprentice Amelia Denby.

Coup Bloomsbury won the 2006 White Robe Lodge Handicap at Wingatui and dead-heated with O'Cartier in the 2007 Stewards' Handicap at Riccarton.

The Centaine-Winds of Conquest gelding has won 12 races and gained 28 minor placing in 66 starts for $276,800 in stakes.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES