Wet weather form was to the fore when Danz Star powered through heavy track conditions to score a determined victory in the $30,000 Te Awamutu Cup yesterday.
The 7-year-old son of Danske sat for most of the race outside Elblitzem before striding to a clear lead in the home stretch and lasting to win by a long neck over the fast-closing Point Guard. A further half-length away in third place was Pindy.
Cambridge-based trainers Tim and Margaret Carter had Danz Star at peak fitness for the 1580m feature. Three previous runs this campaign had the 7-year-old race hardened and ready for a hard slog.
The 21-1 shot may not have carried an imposing form line into the local feature event but his racing record on heavy track conditions - five wins and five minor placings from 16 starts - commanded respect.
JAMES McDONALD capped a quiet day in trying winter conditions with an impressive display aboard Mr Cool to win the $14,000 John F Grylls Memorial Classic.
The victory increased his lead over Sam Spratt to seven (115-108) in the Jockeys' Premiership.
It was classic McDonald, the challenge timed to perfection and pouncing on the leader midway down the short home straight to win by a half-length over Black Watch. A further three-quarters of a length away third was Alkadaz.
Trainer John Nicholson produced the 4-year-old in faultless physical condition - first-up after a nine-week break - and Mr Cool sprinted impressively on an extremely testing track.
THE BROWN BOMBER completed an impressive hat-trick of wins when coasting to an easy two length victory in the $40,000 Winter Championship Final at Awapuni yesterday.
The Eddie Carson part-owned and trained 4-year-old has improved each time he has set foot on a racetrack underlined by the impressive victory over Tudor Bubble.
A further four lengths away third was Realism.
Carson has fashioned an impressive strike rate with his Trentham stable and punters were quick to follow the form line backing The Brown Bomber into 4-1 odds.
LOCAL TRAINER Mike Breslin came out firing early at Awapuni winning the opening two races with Surf Patrol and Ustibecasual.
Surf Patrol made it back-to-back victories relishing the heavy track conditions when scoring in the 2-year-old event. Ustibecasual was all class scoring an impressive 1 length win over Reviviscent with a further two lengths back to Pania Rose.
Racing: Longshot secures Cup
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