KEY POINTS:
Astute placement by Wanganui trainer Raymond Connors may reap further winning glory at Ellerslie in two weeks' time.
Connors was back in the winner's circle at Ellerslie yesterday after Hypnotize unleashed a blistering home stretch sprint to win the $40,000 The Mad Butcher Pakuranga Hunt Cup effortlessly.
Hypnotize was patiently ridden by Isaac Lupton who settled the 9-year-old at the back of the field before gradually reeling in his rivals once the leader, Fair King, attempted to kick clear 600m from the finish.
Hypnotize lengthened stride like a middle-distance star sprinting on the flat once he was over the final fence scoring by 4 1/2 lengths over the favourite Proposition. A further half-length away third was the gallant Fair King.
The victory made it back-to-back wins in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup for Hypnotize who is chasing a similar feat in the $120,000 Great Northern Steeplechase on September 6.
This victory was the first steeplechase event Hypnotize had contested since winning last year's Great Northern. Connors has restricted the jumping star to a mixed preparation of flat and hurdle racing leading into the Ellerslie carnival.
The powerful finishing sprint displayed by Hypnotize confirms his fitness levels will be spot on for the gruelling steeplechase feature.
Proposition was ridden to perfection by Jonathan Riddell saving ground improving along the rail down the back straight and timing his challenge to perfection in the home straight. However, they had no answer to the ruthless sprint of the winner.
An increase in distance in the Great Northern may see the next clash being a closer contest.
Fair King and Jamie Gillies attempted to put a winning break on the field with 600m and stuck on in determined style to finish third. It is hard to ignore the Browne stable in any feature jumping event and the 7-year-old has compiled a useful record at Ellerslie.
KEN RAE is warning punters not to ignore Opus Dei heading into the $120,000 Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie on September 6.
The Muriwai Beach-based horseman achieved a pleasing result in the $30,000 Toyota Hurdles when stable runners Mario and Opus Dei finished first and second in the 3350m feature.
Mario was an impressive winner pouncing on the leaders with 600m remaining and clearing out in the home stretch to win by 14 lengths. A further two lengths away third was The Shoe.
While Rae was overjoyed with the performance of Mario, he was also impressed with the effort posted by Opus Dei.
"They both pulled up well after the race, in fact I think they'll be in a better state than the trainer, come tomorrow," quipped Rae.
"Mario has come into form at the right time of the season and his last-start effort on the flat at Matamata was a better performance than some people realised.
"He has a good record here in hurdling races at Ellerslie and he'll be hard to beat in the Northern.
"But don't underestimate Opus Dei as he was doing his best work at the finish and he's only going to improve between now and the step up in distance in the Northern."
Rae is enjoying training "reject racehorses" and believes the change in training environment he can provide is kicking goals.
"They are paddock trained and are worked up in the forest up here at Muriwai and also do a lot of their training down Muriwai Beach.
"I take them into Avondale for all their schooling work. The change in routine and scenery has worked wonders with these horses."
