Masterton trainer Gerald Innes convinced Wellington property contractor Ron Fokerd a long time ago that Lord Presto was a cup horse in the making.
That meant trying the son of TV Heart Throb as a young horse but, at the same time, showing patience as the gelding developed.
Lord Presto made a successful step into open class when he won the $18,000 Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2000m) at Woodville on Saturday.
He was ridden by Hayden Tinsley, whose forward thinking mid-race paved the way for success.
Tinsley was caught three wide swinging into the back, then took the initiative to bowl forward with 1000m to run. Lord Presto joined pacemaker Greene Street at the 700m and the pair drew away as the home turn loomed.
Lord Presto surged to the front, but shifted in over the final 200m, before going on to score by 1 1/4 lengths from Madison Mary, who shaded Believer and Greene Street.
Robert Hannam, the rider of Greene Street, protested against the winner on the grounds of interference in the home straight but, after an inquiry, the placings were allowed to stand.
Fokerd has been racing horses for 25 years. He had some good types in the 1970s, with such gallopers as Prince Cicero and Colt Forty Five, both trained at Otaki, and has had some success as a breeder.
Fokerd, who bred Lord Presto from his Straight Strike mare Miss Presto, believes his luck may be changing for the better.
"I bought Miss Presto privately as a yearling, but she was lightly tried without winning a race," he said.
"She only raced two or three times as a 2-year-old, but had a windsucking problem, so I never persevered with her as a racing proposition.
"But I was keen to breed from Miss Presto, and her first foal was the Priscott-trained Is Good [by Pompeii Court]."
Lord Presto's long-term goal is the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham in March and, for now, will race next Saturday in the $42,500 Marton Cup (2200m) at Awapuni.
Another race earmarked for the horse is a $20,000 three and four-year-old 2000m at Waikato's International meeting on February 10.
Lord Presto had originally been nominated for the group one $130,000 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at the Wellington Cup meeting, but has been withdrawn.
"Since he's been finding form over ground, there's not much point in switching him back in distance," said Innes, who won the Woodville-Pahiatua Cup eight years ago with Sir Daniel, ridden by Matthew Enright.
- NZPA
Racing: Patience with Lord Presto pays off
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