Racing: Our Star Pupil pours it on

Our Star Pupil powered through an extremely heavy track to take out the 1600m feature yesterday. Photo / NZH

Jim Pender is the only horse trainer punters should be following when the feature race meeting is held at Tauranga racecourse.

The local trainer scored his fourth victory in the $100,000 (Group Two) Japan Trophy when Our Star Pupil powered through an extremely heavy track to take out the 1600m feature yesterday in the hands of Tasha Collett.

The heavy downpour saw the track downgraded to a Heavy 10 and the field reduced to 10 runners.

This played right into the hands of Our Star Pupil who swept forward wide out on the track at the top of the home stretch to assume control of the race and score easily over Agamemnon and Irish Opera (third).

Our Star Pupil's stable mate Casabella Lane battled gamely into fourth position.

Casabella Lane, last year's winner of the Group Two event, was a clear first pick for the Pender stable until the heavy rain arrived in Tauranga.

Pender could not hide his delight about scoring another victory in the feature local event.

"His work this week leading into the race was excellent and once the rain arrived I thought he'd be a chance whereas I knew Casabella Lane might struggle," said Pender.

"Tasha [Collett] rode the horse perfectly and to instructions and she knows the horse very well. He ran fourth behind Casabella Lane in this race last year and he always races well on his home course."

Hamilton trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson will be taking two in-form runners to Brisbane for a busy winter racing campaign.

Gaston made it four wins on end when coasting to a 13-length victory in the hands of James McDonald in the $40,000 Open 1200m.

The 4-year-old was hooked to the extreme outside of the track at the top of the home straight in search of better footing and unleashed an effortless sprint to win easing down over The Heckler and Double Barrel (third).

"We now know he can handle a wet track which was why we left him in here today and James rode him to instructions pulling him to the outside in the straight to find better footing," said co-trainer Debbie Rogerson.

With five wins and five minor placings from 13 starts, Gaston, has strengthened considerable as a racehorse over the past 12 months, justifying the huge opinion the Rogerson stable has had of the 4-Year-Old.

In-form 3-Year-Old filly Scarlett Lady was also be on the same plane to Brisbane - with the Queensland Oaks a definite racing option - for the daughter of Savabeel.

Scarlett Lady was given a dream sit by McDonald stalking the leaders throughout the running of the 3-Year-Old 1600m event.

The hot favourite lengthened stride in testing conditions to win by 2 lengths over Old Drumble with a further 1 lengths back to The Muffin Man (third).

"She has the makings of a good staying filly and we're looking at the Queensland Oaks with her."