KEY POINTS:
Murray Baker is widely respected throughout the New Zealand thoroughbred industry for his ability to develop outstanding equine athletes.
The Cambridge trainer unleashed the star of the class of 2007-2008 at Ellerslie yesterday when Rios scored a determined victory in the (listed) $55,000 Bonecrusher Stakes.
The long-striding, 3-year-old colt son of Hussonet lengthened stride with ease over the closing 200m to score a long neck victory over Rathsallagh with a further half-length back to Coolross (third).
The most pleasing aspect of this victory was the manner in which Rios hit the winning line, indicating he is on track for a successful winning shot at the Group One First Sovereign Trust Levin Classic at Otaki in November.
Baker has fashioned an incredible strike rate with 2 and 3-year-olds and is warm in his praise of Rios.
"He's a very promising racehorse and I do think he's got an exciting future. We're on track for Levin and that's the race I've got in mind for him. He found the finishing line strongly and he'll have no problems stepping up to 1600m."
Baker has been patient with the colt - yesterday's victory was his second from four starts - on top of one minor placing.
"He's always shown potential since I've had him and we'll just keep ticking him over until the Group One race at Otaki."
The royally bred 3-year-old filly Lovetrista picked an opportune time to record her first career victory when taking out the (listed) $55,000 Cambridge Stud Soliloquy Stakes.
Lovetrista is bred to be an exceptional athlete - by Rock Of Gibraltar out of Tristalove - racing in the colours of Cambridge Stud.
Given a dream sit behind the leader throughout, Lovetrista sprinted powerfully at the top of the home stretch scoring by 1 1/4 lengths over Keepa Crusin with a further length back to Boundless (third).
This victory followed an impressive debut third placing and Matamata trainer John Sargent will have little difficultly placing her in fillies' feature events this season.
Valpolicella was another runner to catch the eye pocketed on the rail during the early stages of the race and bulldozing her way into clear racing space in the home stretch finishing solidly for fourth.
Racehorse statistics meant very little to Ruakaka trainer Dean Logan after the $40,000 Mitchelson Cup.
The Donna, Dean Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained Stabinthedark overcame a horrible course record at Ellerslie to effortlessly win the 2200m feature coming from last on the hometurn.
Stabinthedark settled at the rear and obtained a dream run along the rail on the hometurn to reel in the leaders, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths over Bling Bling with a further long neck back to Carnegie Dancer (third).
"Stabinthedark is one of the most genuine and consistent racehorses in our stable and he gives 100 per cent effort every time we train or race him," said Logan.
"He just seems to have a little bit of bad luck whenever we bring him here to race at Ellerslie. It was a brilliant ride by Sam Spratt as she didn't panic and when the field spread out on the home turn we got the gap up the inside.
"A lot of punters think that this horse is a Ruakaka specialist as he's won five races at Ruakaka and one in the inquiry room at Avondale and it's pleasing he's got this win."
Logan is considering a tilt at the New Zealand Cup in Christchurch in November with the 5-year-old.
