Racing: Indikator shows class

Reese Jones showed all the patience and judgment associated with a vastly experienced jockey when kicking home Indikator to score a narrow victory in yesterday's $70,000 Rotorua Cup.

Jones settled the 6-year-old four deep against the rail during a solidly run 2200m and was quick to pull his charge out to challenge the leaders before the home turn.

Indikator waged a length of the straight battle with Tinseltown scoring a narrow neck victory with Chettak a further 2 lengths away third.

Runners that settled well back in the field had no chance of catching the winner with the first three runners home racing close to the speed.

Vickezzchardonnay and Manonamission both made ground from well back in the field to finish in fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Te Aroha trainer Keith Opie has the type of problem most horsemen would be jealous about, an in-form horse that can compete on any footing.

Indikator has returned to racing following a promising Sydney campaign last spring - in which he scored two wins and a second placing - and won with a touch of class in the Group Three event.

The favourite, El Presidente, had no luck in the running. The saddle slipped giving jockey Jason Collett a horrific experience. They did well to get around the track uninjured.

Opie and Indikator's owner Peter Setchell teamed up in the previous event to score with impressive 3-year-old Bilpin Boy. The son of Sandtrap made it two wins from as many outings - both at Rotorua - when scoring an easy victory.

THERE WAS no more popular winner yesterday than the consistent race mare Irish Colleen who posted an impressive performance to win the $45,000 (Listed) Rotorua Stakes.

Irish Colleen's respected and popular trainer Stephen McKee is still under observation at Waikato Hospital after collapsing at Te Rapa last Saturday.

Irish Colleen was given a dream on the pace run by Hayden Tinsley kicking clear of the opposition midway down the home stretch holding out the fast finishing favourite Barinka by three-quarters of a length.

A further long neck away in third position was La Etoile who made up a stack of ground from the back of the field.

Irish Colleen has been a useful performer for McKee scoring six wins and nine minor placings from 28 starts.