Racing: Four-time Opunake winner off to bury Winter Cup bogey

Wellington owner-trainer Eddie Carson will be attempting to bury his Winter Cup bogey when he heads south with Hamilton Road to Riccarton next month.

Carson confirmed plans for Hamilton Road to tackle the group three $80,000 Winter Cup (1600m) on August 6 after the chestnut's impressive victory in the $50,000 Opunake Cup (1400m) at Hawera on Saturday.

The win gave Carson his fourth consecutive victory in the Opunake Racing Club's feature race, having won it the previous three years with Irish Rover.

TAB bookies reacted sharply to the win, tightening Hamilton Road's Winter Cup fixed-odds from $18 to $12 immediately after the Opunake Cup.

Hamilton Road had been at odds of 50-1 before his win over 1400m in the Winter Championship at Trentham this month.

On Saturday, after being checked soon after the start, Hamilton Road came from last to score with his young rider Claire Anderson saving many lengths by electing to hug the inside rail.

The win, her 38th this season, credited the Scottish born 24-year-old Waikato-based rider apprentice with her biggest win. Her previous best had been a $30,000 listed stakes' sprint race at Pukekohe last season.

Anderson, who is apprenticed to Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge, had ridden Hamilton Road only once previously, at Trentham last May when beating one rival home over 1600m.

Said Carson: "I had trouble finding a suitable lightweight rider and I'm glad now I gave her another chance."

Carson admitted he was a little concerned when Hamilton Road was last at one stage.

The Trentham trainer now has plans to be back in Hawera next year to try to win the Opunake Cup a fifth time.

"I suppose I'll have to be back now," he said with a wry smile.

Part of the prize for the Opunake Cup winner was a free trip to Christchurch for the Winter Cup.

Carson has headed to Riccarton twice before - 2002 and 2003 - with Irish Rover to try to win the Winter Cup. On both occasions, after starting favourite, Irish Rover finished out of the money.

Hamilton Road has had four attempts racing beyond 1400m and failed pay a dividend in each. But those statistics did not faze Carson, who feels the horse would be suited to the roomy Riccarton track and the race distance.

Carson said Hamilton Road had been either unsuited by track conditions or was off colour when tried at distances beyond 1400m previously.

"No, the distance won't be a problem. He'd go two miles this fella and still be looking for more," he said.

Hamilton Road, who lifted his stake earnings to just on $80,000 when scoring his seventh career win from 17 starts, was bred by Carson from the Rustington mare Rustling Lass and is owned by him in partnership with his wife, Rosaleen.

Carson has still to decide on a rider for Hamilton Road in the Winter Cup. He said he would discuss that situation with his No 1 stable rider, David Walker.

Walker partnered Irish Rover in the Opunake Cup, finishing fifth after interference in the home straight.

Walker said the horse moved into the race nicely on the home turn, but was "buffeted" by runners around him.

"He didn't get a go in the straight until the race was all but over," Walker said.

Plans for Irish Rover are for him to attempt the Hawkes Bay spring treble at Hastings, commencing with the $200,000 Mudgway Fair Tax Stakes (1400m) on August 27.

Second to Hamilton Road yesterday, beaten a neck, was the favourite Don't Ya Lovett. Trainer Allan Sharrock was happy with Don't Ya Lovett's effort, confirming a start in the Winter Cup.

"I thought it was a good run," Sharrock said. "He'll improve further with this race."

Half a length back third was the fast finishing Baltaine with Bulginbaah close up next after racing on or near the pace throughout.

- NZPA