Racing: Hamilton continues winning run with Riccarton double

Central Otago owner-trainer Murray Hamilton continued a good innings when Margretta and Laudercreek won at Riccarton on Saturday.

Margretta, who won by 10 lengths, had won a maiden race at Riccarton at her previous start.

The rising 6-year-old Pentire mare had her first start for Hamilton in January after four unplaced runs in the North Island.

Laudercreek cleared maiden ranks after placings in two of his three starts. He is raced by Hamilton in partnership and trained by Ben and Sally Gordon at Ascot.

Laudercreek is among 21 horses the Invercargill trainers have based at Riccarton for winter racing.

Hamilton secured Laudercreek as a youngster from Stoney Bridge Stud, Matamata.

He passed the gelding to the Gordons to iron out his barrier manners. The group was then formed to race the gelding.

Laudercreek is by Storm Creek out of Heinie Hartwig, a half-sister by Chem to Narousa, whose 11 wins included the 2001 Dunedin Cup, Grand National Hurdles, Great Northern and Waikato Hurdles and Kumara Nuggets.

The Gordons have Bonbonniere, Le Thunder and Aristrocrat ready to resume racing. Le Thunder won the Amberley Cup last year.

The Le Paillard gelding has not raced since finishing fifth in the Winter Classic at Riccarton last August. He did his early racing from the Gordon stable.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES