Racing: Irish speedster back on track

Mark Hills gets Southern Icon home at Te Rapa yesterday. Photo / Trish Dunell

Alan Tait is hoping Southern Icon's win at Te Rapa yesterday signals a major turnaround in the sprinter's fortunes.

The Matamata horseman produced the Big Brown gelding for a successful defence of his Group One Turf Bar title, but last year's success had a shocking sequel.

"He got a virus and that was the end of his season," Tait said. "He showed so much ability and we tried to patch him up, but it was no go."

That illness halted a run of four successive wins from Southern Icon, who until then had been on a path toward the group two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate and the group three Makfi Challenge Stakes, to be run next season at Hastings as the Tarzino Trophy.

After the five-year-old's slick display yesterday, those races will be back on the agenda.

Southern Icon worked his way to his customary role in front after 800 metres and he held a strong gallop under jockey Mark Hills, who has been aboard in seven of the horse's eight wins, to hold his rivals at bay.

Tait said he had been more hopeful than confident going into the race "I just hoped he was back to where he was."

Southern Icon had a length-and-a-half to spare at the post with Biggin Hill getting home late for second and Kitaya produced a solid effort for third in his New Zealand debut for Matamata trainer Danica Guy.

The well-travelled Irish-bred gelding was a group three winner and group one placed in France before he transferred to Hong Kong where he won twice at Happy Valley.

Meanwhile, Getty announced himself as a leading spring prospect when he ventured north to Te Rapa where he continued the perfect start he has made to his career.

The Opaki youngster remained unbeaten with a strong performance to claim bragging rights after yesterday's New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race.

Getty had been successful on debut after ploughing through heavy going at Trentham last month and he appreciated an improved surface to work with on his first trip away.

Getty made use of an inside gate at Te Rapa to make the running and he comfortably held his closest rivals at bay in the closing 200 metres to win by half a length from Malambo and Waldorf.

- NZ Racing Desk