Racing: Luck goes Cup winner's way

A luckless third at Ellerslie last month was the catalyst for Te Awamutu Cup winner Cent Per Cent yesterday.

The grey gelding used similar tactics employed by Open sprint winner Sandcastle. He sat outside the leader on the front-runners track, kicking away to a clear lead inside the final 200m for rider Michelle Wenn, then holding a bold finish from Wida's Dream who made it interesting near the post.

"He didn't have much luck last start," said co-trainer Debbie Rogerson.

"He goes on all ground and is a good, genuine old racehorse. He loves racing.

"And he is one of those funny old boys around the stables and enjoys life."

Stablemates Wida's Dream and Elblitzem finished the race off strongly for Te Awamutu trainer Robert Priscott in second and third respectively.

FORMER top jockey Royce Dowling gained double the satisfaction when handy galloper Dan's Best claimed his second John F Grylls Memorial.

A gifted trainer, Dowling owns Dan's Best but these days offers friendly advice to daughter, Linda Laing, who trains the 6-year-old gelded son of Black Minnaloushe for him.

And Laing has achieved all the goals set, taking the race Dowling was so elated to win last year, now twice.

Royce Dowling and the late John Grylls, a brilliant jockey of yesteryear, were great mates and in winning the memorial event in Grylls' honour gives his former peer a real thrill.

Dan's Best came from beyond midfield to storm home in the hands of the talented Sam Collett to win going away, his second win this winter after taking a rating 70 at Counties in early June.

The John F Grylls Charitable Trust, who sponsored the race, is also responsible for financial support to the Injured Jockeys Fund, and the Waikato Apprentice Jockeys School.

The Christine Lawn Trust, and Debbie Henderson Trust also receive contributions from the trust.

Lawn and Henderson were both left in wheelchairs after bad race falls.

SANDTRAP gelding Sandblaster kept a perfect record at Waipa in comfortably taking out the $17,500 Quinlan Electrical Open Sprint.

The Keith Opie-trained 5-year-old sat outside leader Mr Investor and kicked away in the hands of a happy apprentice rider, Jason Collett.

"He has really good gatespeed and I could have led," said Collett. "But Mr Investor was keen to lead so I was happy to sit three-quarters [of a length] off him."

Favourite Salvatore was left a little flat-footed coming to the home turn under Michael Coleman but rallied well late to finish third, while the well-supported Pinzee caused a stir when she reared as the barriers opened and lost all chance. HANDY flat galloper Waitaha Toa is being touted as a possible Grand National Hurdle winner after impressively taking out his second hurdle attempt at Awapuni yesterday, maintaining an unbeaten run over fences.

The 7-year-old cruised home in the hands of top jockey Jonathan Riddell, who was having his first ride on the horse over fences given Gary Walsh had done the deed on debut at Wanganui on June 24.

Waitaha Toa has had a reputation as a superb jumper even before he lined up at Wanganui, and trainer Lisa Latta now has the decision to make as to whether to horse will tackle the big jumps racing at Riccarton next month.

On what he's shown in just two starts the jumping world seems his oyster.

Latta also took the feature flat race at Awapuni, interestingly with another 6-year-old son of Black Minnaloushe.

Black Lambo won at the distance at Awapuni in June but failed at Hastings on July 3 over 2500m.

Back to the 2100m yesterday he was too strong for the gallant topweight Dubhdara who carried 5kg more than any other horse in the race.

To cap a fine day for Latta she split the two feature race wins with another in the Matt Burke Engineering 2YO Handicap with Zenno Rob Roy filly Zennista an easy 4length winner over warm favourite Queen Of The Castle.