Racing: Future looking bright for Te Awamutu trainers

By BARRY STREET

A trainer's prize used to be awarded at Waipa Racing Club's meetings at Te Awamutu, but not any more.

The late local trainer and five-times New Zealand premiership winner Bill Sanders and his son Graeme won it so many times it became a benefit and ho-hum.

Local riders have always had their share of success, too, especially the late John Grylls and the long-retired John Riordan. They often won half a Waipa programme or more.

Nowadays, the dominance of local stables at Te Awamutu has been taken over by the Graeme and Debbie Sanders stable, strongly supported by Robert Priscott, Darrell and Peter Hollinshead, Ian Vincent, Diane Knowles and some capable owner-trainers.

John Grylls' jockey son, Gary, and Debbie Sanders' fiancee, Mark Sweeney, usually do all right with the pick of the local runners. Today, though, Sweeney can only be a spectator, having incurred a suspension until tomorrow at last Saturday's races at Avondale.

For NZ Herald readers Sweeney yesterday agreed to share his picks and preferences of 32 local runners at today's Te Awamutu Cup meeting.

This is how he saw each race.-

Race 1: I wouldn't want to ride them, but both the local steeplechasers, Willie Tee and Mr Tee, have to be regarded.

Race 2: There are four locals in this including Jude's Last, who I rode to a trials win, and Teardrop, who I galloped yesterday. I'd prefer Teardrop, who is much the smaller of the two, but is by Starjo and seems a mudlark.

Race 3: Again four runners and a bit of a toss-up between Verglas, who romped home at the local trials, and Wink At Me. I'll go for Verglas.

Race 4: Christavain and Go Bobby Go appeal as the pick of yet another local four.

Race 5: There's no need of a choice. Tsar Omar is the sole local and a huge chance.

Race 6: With Drawn is a standout over the other Te Awamutu horse, Clever Devil. I didn't have to thrash With Drawn to beat Millennium at Tauranga a fortnight ago, and he's the mount I'm most disappointed about missing out on.

Race 7: I'd expect improvement from Judette, but she finished nowhere near The Governess at Te Rapa last time, so The Governess would be my pick.

Race 8: Mr Brook looks the best of the three locals, but the likes of Ebony Boy and Watch Officer could be too good for him.

Race 9: Again a bit of a toss-up between four. My preferred two would be Joken and Zillian, with a slight leaning the way of Zillian.

Race 10: The race with the most [five] local runners. I'll surprise you here by selecting Vera's Star over Brighton Belle. I wouldn't be surprised if both were in the money.