Mark Du Plessis returns to scale aboard Chintz. Photo / Natalie Slade
What an appropriate start to the racing year.
A newly-knighted Sir Peter Vela won race one at Ellerslie yesterday only hours after officially being awarded the gong.
And so did punters, sending Duquesa out the $2.10 favourite.
However, James McDonald was a touch shaky when he brought the mare back into the birdcage.
"I nearly buggered that up," he declared, but he was being too hard on himself.
Duquesa was back last, but McDonald moved her up quickly to be behind the leaders turning into the home straight. McDonald went for a gap, which started to close, just as Duquesa began charging and she had to be switched around the heels of Flying Orca.
Duquesa and Flying Orca fought out a desperate finish, one which Flying Orca looked a chance to get the better of.
"I was probably always going to win because I hadn't really got at her at the 100m," said McDonald.
Duquesa is highly strung.
"She gave me a hard time getting her to the start and she'll be a lot better when she settles down."
The only negative was that Sir Peter was unable to get to Ellerslie.
His helicopter was unable to get through the weather from the Coromandel.
Put all the horses that raced at Ellerslie yesterday in a line-up and Vinnie Eagle would have been a shoo-in for best looker.
He is a truly stunning individual.
Fortunately for his connections he also runs pretty well as a racehorse - he ate up the opposition in the $70,000 Barnswood Farm Eclipse Stakes.
There would be a few connections delighted with the fact Vinnie Eagle is not eligible to run in the $1 million Karaka Million - he's Australian bred, was bought there and will race next across the Tasman.
"We bought him at the Inglis Classic sale for A$65,000 and the A$150,000 sales series race over there has always been his goal," said co-trainer Tony Pike.
"We turned him out after he won on debut at Ruakaka and he developed enormously."
Vinnie Eagle's relatively new Australian-based sire I Am Invincible impresses Pike's father Wayne.
"We booked a mare into him as soon as we worked out how good this bloke is."
Leith Innes got Vinnie Eagle over to the rail and led from a mid-field draw and was always in control.
Vinnie Eagle looks the sort who could go on and be something special.
His performance in Australia will be a good guide to that.
Taranaki visitor Steel Rose fought bravely for second, after trailing on the rails, and trainer John Wheeler said he would aim the filly at the Matamata Breeders Stakes.
The start was a bit of a mess when Crucial ducked sideways leaving the barriers. One of the worst to suffer was Vespa, who did well to finish off strongly into third.
Chintz is large, slightly arrogant and difficult to ride.
She put all three elements together to score a last-stride victory in the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie.
With 40m to run Jubilate had the group two race safely won, but Chintz gritted her large teeth and grabbed it off him.
Mark Du Plessis said it had been a difficult ride as many jockeys have found out aboard the talented mare.
"She was trying to do a few things wrongly, but she dug deep."
Co-trainer Tony Pike said Chintz tests the patience of their Cambridge stable.
"She's boisterous and because she's so big she knows she can get away with it.
"You can't tie her up at the races, you have to walk her continuously."
The Pikes bred Chintz, but did not send her to the sale ring because of off-set knees.
With stakes now of $103,000 that's less disappointing than it was.
"The light weight [52kg] made her a real chance in the race," said Pike.
Noel Harris wasted hard to get down to Jubilate's 52.5kg and for a long way down the home straight it looked like sensible sacrifice.
"I didn't really want him to lead, but he jumped so well and no one else wanted to lead," said trainer Graham Richardson who, like everyone else, thought he had the race won.
Michael McNab wins Group race with Acquarello, calling her 'the best mare in the race.'