Racing: Consistent Kristov adds Woodville-Pahiatua Cup to growing tally

Matamata gelding Kristov would have to be the most consistent horse racing in New Zealand.

The Slavic five-year-old led his rivals a merry chase to win the $20,000 Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (1600m), adding $13,000 to his growing stakes tally.

Kristov has raced 29 times for 29 cheques, with his total stake earnings of $122,140 coming from seven wins, 14 seconds, four thirds, three fourths and a fifth.

"He picked up fifth money on a day he actually finished sixth," recalled trainer and part-owner Phillip Stevens.

"The rider of the fifth horse that day failed to weigh in, so Kristov was awarded the fifth placing and the money to go with it."

Stevens broke in Kristov for Matamata owner and breeder Greg Meads and liked the colt so much that he subsequently sought a racing share in him.

"Greg agreed to lease a half-share, with a right of purchase of $40,000. My partner Charlie [Catherine] Beckett came in as well," said Stevens, who also pre-trains horses for Te Akau Racing Stables.

"I've got about six horses of my own in work, so it's a happy medium at the moment," he said.

Kristov was a prolific placegetter early in his career, but the addition of blinkers has seen the horse finish off his races much better lately. Stevens said the addition of blinkers came after consultation with rider Opie Bosson.

"Opie and I talked about it at length four or five starts ago, and they (blinkers) have worked wonders," said Stevens, who on previous trips to the central districts won two successive Marton Cups (1999-20) with Esprit De Corps.

"Kristov has grown up mentally and physically over the past year or so and seems to be going from strength to strength.

"We could have sold him last year, but the single offer of $100,000 never came to fruition.

"I think we would have sold him for that kind of money at the time, but we never heard back after that initial contact."

Kristov is heading to Trentham for the $35,000 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) on the first day of the Wellington Cup carnival, but a run in the group one $130,000 Thorndon Mile (1600m) a week later will not be considered at this stage.

"I'd rather race him on the first day, give him a break and bring him back with the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie in mind at the end of March," Stevens said.

Meanwhile, fellow Matamata galloper El Bulli got what she came to Woodville for when winning the Tararua Roading for three-year-olds.

The filly guaranteed herself a place in the group one $300,000 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on January 22, earning an army of admirers in the process.

El Bulli scored convincingly from another Matamata visitor, Uhuru, after a masterful ride from Palmerston North jockey Hayden Tinsley.

El Bulli began from the outside gate of 13 and was checking off the heels of several runners over the first 400m before Tinsley took the initiative and sent the filly round the field and into the lead in the back straight.

From there, El Bulli always had the pressure on.

- NZPA