Racing: High Class too good in Avondale debut

NZ Herald

8 May, 2015 05:00 PM5 mins to read

Warriors legend Duane Mann presents the Fillies Classic trophy to High Class's rider Brendan Hutton at Avondale Jockey Club yesterday. Photo / Tracksnaps

Filly is just the second winner sired by Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.

It was after 9am when Matamata apprentice Brendan Hutton landed the winning ride on High Class in yesterday's $20,000 Vodafone Warriors Women In League Fillies Classic at Avondale.

Rory Hutchings had called in sick and trainer Jenna Mahoney engaged 2kg claimer Hutton not much more than four hours before race time.

It proved a winning trick. High Class, on debut, produced a remarkable performance to come from last at the 800m, loop the entire field approaching the home bend and race away to win by a large margin in a field packed with emerging talent.

"The instructions from Jenna were to make sure I was in contention on the home turn and when I got up to the leaders I wondered if she'd done too much to keep going," said Hutton.

"But she amazed me when she just powered away. She's a very nice filly and I'd love to stay with her." High Class is just the second winner sired by Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, the first being in a provincial Victorian race last week.

"She's always shown us plenty," said Mahoney. "I was confident she'd run a real race, but the way she's won surprised and delighted me. She's going to be pretty good in the spring." The race, postponed from the abandoned meeting on Monday last week, was sponsored by the Warriors and the presentation was made by Duane Mann, who played for the Warriors in the franchise's 1995 debut season and who for the last two years has been Academy Pathways Manager.

"I'm delighted to be here," said Mann as he presented the trophies in the Winner's Room.

"When the Warriors have an away game a fishing trip is arranged for the 50-odd club staff and I'm here and they're out on the harbour, getting wet in this rain."

Another debut runner Risque looked the possible winner early in the home straight and did well to maintain second, but was never a chance to withstand the winner's demanding finish.

Many beaten riders blamed the heavy 10 track conditions following persistent rain.

Steven Cole didn't mind the rain when he trained his first winner in Belial in Race 9. The 23-year-old had produced a horse to the races on only 11 previous occasions and took huge delight from the occasion.

He is the son of IRT horse transport company principal David Cole who said: "Avondale is my favourite course and I'm delighted my son trained his first winner here.

"That's not just a statement for the occasion - I was the leading trainer for winners to starters here for a while when I was training. I love the place."

Kevin Myers loves winning races at Rotorua and he has two excellent chances this afternoon.

Spring Cheer can win the Rotorua Cup for him and earlier, Gagarin is a top hope in Race 2.

Gagarin was just beaten when fresh from a break on a good track at Blenheim last start and will better appreciate the rain-affected footing at Rotorua.

He has had six starts in the heavy for two wins and two placings.

Spring Cheer has a touch of class as she showed when she won the New Zealand Cup a year and a half ago.

She hasn't won since, but had 14 months off with a leg problem from which she has had plenty of time to recover. She can handle any type of footing - the track was firm when she won the New Zealand Cup - and today's conditions should not be a problem for her. The conditions will suit Storming The Tower.

Taken The Liberty (No2, R3) was totally outpaced when hugely talented She's Flawless ran a 1.8.89 1200m at Te Rapa last start. For a horse that has had one start each on slow and heavy for two wins, that was just way too fast. This should be a different story. Gilt (No9) could surprise with a big run and Letmego (No1) is another who was left floundering behind She's Flawless.

Makarska (No8, R4) was close up fourth in a strong field at Te Rapa last start and looks well placed here on slower footing. Illuminati (No10) has a good record in the wet.

Kelly O'Reilly's (No2, R8) first up performance was mysteriously ordinary for a smart mare. She is worth one more chance and in footing that should suit today she can be given it here. The wide draw late in the day should be an advantage. Fascination Street (No11) has improved tremendously since having the blinkers applied and she looks a definite danger despite moving up in class.

Conditions should be very testing in the final event, Race 9, and Mr Doole (No5) might be the type to take advantage of it. He will be improved for his first-up Dargaville run on firmish conditions and will appreciate what he finds today.

Cambridge star El Roca has the conditions against him at Doomben today - lack of real fitness and a horror barrier. He will improve tremendously with this race - his first in more than a year - and be much more difficult to beat next start in Queensland.