Racing: Magic hands take feature

Chris Johnson lived up to his nickname as "magic" when combining with O'Cartier to score a gallant front-running victory in the $70,000 (Group Three) Higgins Challenge Stakes at Awapuni yesterday.

Johnson's career has been littered with moments of magic and madness in terms of his conduct away from race day.

But nothing can be taken away from the tactical brilliance of Johnson who rated the 6-year-old to perfection in front throughout and showing a clean pair of heels to the favourite Il Quello Veloce when challenged in the home stretch.

O'Cartier was a sitting duck for challengers in the home stretch and Il Quello Veloce sprinted powerfully along the inner but found it too tough to head the leader who kicked clear to win by 1 lengths.

A further 1 lengths away third was Hold It Harvey.

O'Cartier has scored four wins and two minor placings at 1400m from 10 starts.

The victory followed a similar gritty performance in the hands of Johnson during Cup Week in Christchurch. The jump in class from an open handicap to weight-for-age company did not trouble O'Cartier who was primed for a bold performance by Christchurch trainers John and Karen Parsons.

HIGH OCTANE had every excuse to be defeated in the $70,000 (Group Three) Manawatu Cup but the 7-year-old defied all challengers.

The Cambridge-trained gelding was asked to do plenty of work by jockey Lisa Allpress racing three wide in midfield during the early stages of the race before punching forward to sit outside the leader.

High Octane put a winning break on the field with 200m remaining and withstood a powerful attack down the outer from Manonamission, lasting to win by a long head.

A further long neck away third was Bakup.

High Octane has been a consistent performer for trainer Gregor Robson scoring nine wins and 13 minor placings from 45 starts.

Manonamission recorded an eye-catching performance after racing three wide and taking plenty of time to reel in the leader, who kicked on the field, at the top of the home straight.

KING RAEDWALD is a 3-year-old worth following over the busy summer after scoring an easy victory in the $35,000 Rich Hill Stud Premier 1400.

The well-built son of Red Ransom produced an effortless home stretch sprint from a midfield sit to win with plenty in hand for regular jockey Hayden Tinsley, scoring by a half-length over Green Cash.

A further 1 lengths away third was Time Keeper.

With two wins and two fourth placings from four starts - the Kevin Gray-trained colt has plenty of class and ability to follow speed. Victory was over 1400m and 1600m to possibly 2000m may be the optimum distance for him.

Tinsley has ridden the colt in all four race-day starts and this victory followed a fourth placing in much stronger company in the Levin Classic.

MISS MARAUDER showed speed and heart when scoring a narrow but impressive victory in the $15,000 NZ Bloodstock 2-Year-Old Handicap.

The daughter of Falkirk jumped straight to the front and was well-rated by apprentice jockey Masa Tanaka, fighting off the determined challenge of the favourite Kallisan to win by a long neck.

Juzchillin was a further 1 lengths back third.

Local trainer Matthew Eales was far from disappointed in the filly's debut performance at Trentham when forced to race wide early and burning plenty of petrol to lead and fading late to finish fifth.

She had a much easier time in yesterday's 1100m event.

Eales will reassess his plans for Miss Marauder, although the Karaka Million at Ellerslie next month is one strong possibility.

THERE WAS no more popular result than the magical quinella produced by progeny of former champion Sunline at Te Rapa.

Sunline died this year after battling laminitis. The 4-year-old Zabeel-sired Sun Ruler defeated stablemate Sunstrike by a nose.

They are trained by Sunline's former regular travelling companion, Stephen McKee.