Racing: Heading to the Deep South in bid to win premiership

The training partnership of Stephen Autridge and Graeme Rogerson will consign horses to the South Island from their Tuhikaramea stable for the two remaining meetings of the season in a bid for the premiership.

After yesterday's Tauranga meeting at Te Aroha they have drawn level with Mark Walker of Matamata in the premiership race with 86 wins each.

They had trailed Walker by one going into the meeting but a win in race 7 helped them draw level. Walker did not record a win yesterday.

The Autridge-Rogerson stable had eight horses leaving this week for the Timaru meeting on Sunday.

Chris Shailer, a spokesman for the stable, said another lot would travel south for the Oamaru meeting on July 30, the final day of the season.

Rogerson has won the premiership 11 times either on his own or in partnership. He has won it twice with Autridge as a partner.

The stable had Bois, Tom's Mate, Buena Ventura, Pelorus Jack, Pepe Lopez and Faltoso engaged at Te Aroha with Buena Ventura claiming the victory.

The consignment for the Timaru meeting includes Gallant Son, Ringading, D'Artagnan and Dancing Song.

Gallant Son is in the open hurdle, Ringading ran third at Ruakaka last Saturday and D'Artagnan has run eight minor placings this season.

Darryl Bradley has been engaged to ride the team.

The stable also has three horses entered at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The all-out bid by Rogerson is reminiscent of the close of the 2000-2001 season.

Rogerson, with Keith Hawtin as a partner, won three races at the Oamaru meeting on July 29 to take the premiership by one win from Paul O'Sullivan, with Brian and Shane Anderton in third place with 55 wins.

* Trainers premiership: (after yesterday's meeting):

M. Walker; G. Rogerson/S. Autridge 86 wins, M. Pitman 51, M. Baker 41, S./T. McKee 40, L. O'Sullivan 39, R. James 38, J. Sargent 36, P./D. Williams 36, Donna/Dean Logan 33.

Riders title:

L. Cropp 143 wins, A. Calder 103, M. Walker 91, D. Bradley 84, J. Bullard 80, C. Lammas 77, L. Innes 70, G. Cooksley 62, C. Johnson 62, M. Cameron (a) 59.