KEY POINTS:
Ralph Manning might have had his reservations about the state of the Hastings racetrack yesterday but stable star Seachange found no difficulty when effortlessly winning the $250,000 Group One Mudgway Stakes.
The Cambridge trainer was worried if his outstanding mare would handle the tricky track conditions.
A heavy track proved to be the downfall of New Zealand's premier weight-for-age performer in her last start, when placed fifth in the Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa.
However, when Seachange accelerated on the hometurn, tracking rival Jokers Wild into the race, the real issue was going to be the winning margin, such was her dominance.
She was eased down at the finish to win by a length over the solid finishing Cog Hill with a further half-neck away to the consistent J'Adane.
The victory capped a satisfying visit to Hastings for the Seachange camp.
Queensland owner Dick Karreman was named Owner of the Year at a New Zealand Thoroughbred Awards function in Hastings on Friday night, at which Seachange won the Horse of the Year title.
Manning will now focus on conditioning the 5-year-old to attempt a clean sweep of New Zealand's premier spring triple crown weight-for-age carnival at Hastings.
The second leg, the $250,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes (1600m) will be contested in three weeks' time.
The final leg - and New Zealand's richest race - is the $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes (2000m) on October 6.
Seachange won the first two races of the carnival last year, before finishing third in the Kelt Capital behind upset winner Legs.
Jockey Gavin McKeon is confident that Seachange can complete the clean sweep this season.
"I think we're a much better chance than last year, simply because she has developed into a real mare," said McKeon.
"She's got that added strength now and has filled out into a very strong horse. On what she has done here, she is capable of doing anything this season."
Woodville-based trainer Neil Connors is considering paying the $1500 late entry fee for stable star Samurai to contest the Stoney Bridge Stakes.
Samurai bounced back to winning form in determined fashion holding out the fast-closing Ben Hogan to win the $45,000 open handicap.
The 6-year-old has been raced sparingly, because of chronic knee problems, but showed his class with a gritty head victory over Ben Hogan and The Veep.
This was an impressive performance by both horse and trainer.
Connors said Samurai had not been saddled up since his last-start fourth in the Winter Cup at Riccarton four weeks ago.
He has worked without a rider, while being led off another horse.
Samurai will strip far fitter for his next assignment, the Group Three $100,000 Merial Mile Handicap at Awapuni in two weeks' time.
If Samurai races well at Awapuni, Connors intends to start his charge in the Stoney Bridge.
Samurai has an imposing record of five wins and one minor placing from seven starts at Hastings, and it is understandable that Connors is keen on the 1600m feature and a showdown with pin-up girl Seachange.
The favourite Lilakyn raced at the back of the field and ran home impressively in the home stretch.
* Veloz confirmed his promise when leading virtually all the way to win in a $20,000 rating 70 event over 1200m.
The 4-year-old kicked clear and won by 4 3/4 lengths. He won his debut at Taupo in similar style.
