KEY POINTS:
Local galloper Ginga Dude caused a minor upset for Auckland Cup winning jockey Mark Sweeney and his good mate, hometown trainer Jim Pender, in yesterday's Group Two $150,000 First Sovereign Trust Japan-New Zealand Trophy at Tauranga.
But it was crowd favourite Sir Slick who caused all the buzz on the track, even though he didn't win.
Co-trainer Graeme Nicholson would have preferred Sir Slick went into the race 100 per cent, though it was doubtful because Sir Slick's left ear was injured before he was saddled. Sir Slick's ear was bitten by another horse in the stabling area, leaving a gash that was visibly open when he paraded before the start.
Sir Slick was declared fit to run by vets, and was soon leading as usual, though perhaps lacking the customary dash in the final stages to be run down and miss a place, unsuccessfully defending his crown having won the corresponding race in 2006 and 2007.
"It's business as usual with him," said Nicholson of Sir Slick.
"We'll go to the Awapuni Gold Cup next week and get a line on him and decide whether we run him in the Easter," he said.
Ginga Dude, an Istidaad 4-year-old having just his tenth raceday start, and his second for Pender, came from well back on the home turn to storm home wide and nail Sterling Prince and Cameron Lammas on the line.
"I have changed his training pattern around and he has settled down. He is a lovely horse with a great attitude," said Pender.
Ginga Dude won three from eight starts for Tim Carter before transferring to Jim Pender prior to his Ellerslie win on March 8, a $40,000 Rating 90 event over 1400m.
Im Isaac, and former South Island mare Dimondsontheinside were unable to separated by the judge in the $50,000 Team Wealleans Bay Of Plenty Cup, sharing the major prize in a stirring finish.
