Racing: Feature win crowns perfect day at home

Photo / iStock

Taurus completed a perfect day for trainers Evan and JJ Rayner at Wanganui when he broke through for a deserved black type reward.

The 7-year-old triumphed yesterday in the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes, a race he had placed in twice previously including a runner-up finish 12 months ago.

"It's been a very good day and it's always nice to win your home track feature," Evan Rayner said.

Taurus, whose stablemate Hundyamonth also won, has now won 10 races and his list of minors includes eight at stakes level.

"He's a very good and honest horse," Rayner said. "We'll look at the Opunake Cup although he's going to end up with topweight."

Taurus, who was second in the Hawera event in 2013, could be in line for another trip to Riccarton for a third crack at the Group 3 Winter Cup. He was runner-up three years ago and sixth in 2014.

"We'll probably have to think about it and further down the track there's the Foxbridge Plate," Rayner said. "I won that with Baltaine a few years ago and this horse is right up there with him."

Taurus was given a cosy run behind the pace by Jonathan Riddell and they were too strong for Designated Driver and Endure.

Changes to Hundyamonth's training regime and gear paved the way for the four-year-old to post a front-running success under apprentice Holly Andrew in the Wanganui Chronicle 1340.

"He's a thinker so we schooled him over the pony fences and put the blinkers on him as well," Rayner said. "

- NZ Racing Desk.