Racing: Indikator powers to glory

Indikator bounced back to winning form impressively at Tauranga yesterday, powering to an easy victory in the $65,000 (Listed) Kiwifruit Cup.

The 5-year-old was confidently ridden by Andrew Calder having a dream sit behind the pace-setting Strapped For Cash and lengthened stride quickly in the home stretch when the leader rolled off the rail.

Indikator scored by 4 lengths over Our Star Pupil with a further nose back to Strapped For Cash (third).

Indikator was a distant second in his last start on an extremely heavy track in the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie behind Strapped For Cash but excelled in the more favourable track conditions yesterday.

Te Aroha trainer Keith Opie who has been extremely patient with Indikator was rewarded for his fine judgment.

The Kiwifruit Cup has been a winter racing target for Indikator who finished third in this event last year, his first start beyond 1600m.

AWAPUNI TRAINER Lisa Latta knew how good 3-year-old filly Platinum Zana was - and punters also found that out - when the 20-1 shot unleashed a blistering home stretch sprint to win the $60,000 (Listed) Tauranga Classic.

Platinum Zana carried winning form into the fillies and mares weight-for-age feature, having won her last start at Trentham, but was an unknown performer at this level.

She burst to the front midway down the home stretch and was too strong, holding out course specialist Ististar to win by a neck. A further head away third was Miss Raggedy Ann.

Latta has been regularly churning out the winners and this victory was well worth it - the black type win increasing the broodmare value of Platinum Zana.

Ististar is a class winter performer and came from well back in the field to get within a neck of the winner. She will be worth following again.

One runner to catch the eye was the fifth-placed Yanna Marie who got well off the speed but was doing her best work at the finish, closing powerfully on the leaders through the middle of the field.