KEY POINTS:
Riccarton Park in Christchurch is fast becoming a happy hunting ground for former North Island galloper Delbrae and up-and-coming local trainer Sharon Robertson.
Delbrae showed plenty of heart when it mattered drawing clear of the favourite Balmuse to post an impressive 1 1/2 length victory in the $100,000 (Group Three) Canterbury Gold Cup.
A further 1 1/4 lengths away third was Al Farouk.
Delbrae was purchased a year ago from leading lower North Island trainer Kevin Myers by local owner Richard Steel.
There was a lot of irony in the finish of the race as Myers is the trainer of the second-placed Balmuse.
Robertson is Steel's private trainer and is based at a property in Weedons although Delbrae does plenty of his training on a nearby beach.
Last November Delbrae shocked punters with a powerful home stretch sprint to win the $250,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton. Punters were again caught out as the 6-year-old was at juicy 16-1 odds.
Robertson clearly has an ability to peak her racehorses for major races. Delbrae has been a consistent performer scoring eight wins and 16 minor placings from 36 starts.
Punters were given a fright in an earlier feature event when the hot favourite Porotene Gem scored a narrow victory over Shining Light in the $50,000 (Listed) New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes.
Porotene Gem has a faultless career record in heavy track conditions and responded to a vigorous ride by David Walker to snatch a short head victory over Shining Light in the 2000m event.
Shining Light's jockey Michael Coleman made the trip south from Matamata to ride the John Sargent-trained filly in the listed event and must have thought he had the victory until Porotene Gem arrived.
Porotene Gem has been patiently handled by trainer Kevin Gray scoring four wins and one minor placing from nine starts. Gray clearly has a knack of getting the best out of the stock of Waikato Stud-based stallion Pins.
When Levin trainer Peter McKenzie travels and races his stable runners, punters should take note as it could be to their advantage - as was proven yet again at Riccarton yesterday.
McKenzie produced Lord Monty in race seven and Flurry in the last of the day to post impressive victories in the hands of David Walsh.
Lord Monty had to fight hard to post a half-neck victory over one of the favourites, Prized Touch, and Coup Wellington while Flurry was an effortless 1 1/2 length winner over Wester and Royal Tease.
