Racing: Patient ride turns up trumps

Veteran Jockey Noel Harris defied a natural on-the-speed racing bias at Tauranga yesterday to kick home impressive winner Vonusti in the $25,000 feature event.

Racing close to the pace was the place to be at the right-handed track but Harris took no notice of that in the 1400m event. Harris settled Vonusti back towards the rear of the field against the running rail and rode in his typically patient style giving the 5-year-old plenty of time to relax.

Vonusti was pushed out by Harris in the home stretch to make his challenge two to three horse widths off the rail and quickly reeled in the leaders easing down to win by 2 lengths over Irish Colleen.

A further head away third was Attalla.

1400m is a favourite distance of the Tim and Margaret Carter-trained runner - three wins and two minor placings - from five starts.

Vonusti is the type of horse welcome in any stable, having a consistent racing record of seven wins and five minor placings from 17 starts.

The victory capped a series of consistent performances during the recent New Zealand Cup Carnival in Christchurch.

OPIE BOSSON showed plenty of aggression with debut runner Falhidi, pulling the stick on the 3-year-old when the starting gates opened at Tauranga yesterday. He was rewarded for his efforts with a 5 length victory.

The Andrew Scott-trained 3-year-old was an impressive recent trial winner at Avondale and was heavily supported on the New Zealand TAB and was punched straight to the front by Bosson.

Falhidi left his rivals flat-footed on the home turn when Bosson asked the gelding to lengthen stride. This combination was eased down at the finish to hold off the favourite Asgoodasitgets. A neck away third was Chocolater.

All honours were with winner who may now be aimed at the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie in March.

"He's got a big future as he's a nice staying type of horse who we may now aim at the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie in March," said Scott.

Later in the programme, Bosson took full advantage of a barrier one draw to kick home fresh-up runner Dinka to score a determined victory in the $14,000 Eric Pinker Memorial.

The Murray and Bjorn Baker-trained runner was given a dream sit on the speed throughout ans showed plenty of determination in the home stretch to win by a short neck over Lady Alberton with a further three-quarters of a length back to Tsardurka (third).

"It's great to have her back in winning form as a few things went wrong in her last campaign and the plan from the draw was always to have her handy," said co-trainer Bjorn Baker.

WELL-BRED mare Cavalera has proved to be a handful for Waikato-based starting barrier gate staff but showed her undoubted class with a determined victory in the opening event at Tauranga.

Cambridge-based trainer Don Sellwood has patiently handled the 4-year-old daughter of Zabeel who has a love-hate affair with the starting stalls.

Cavalera had her usual pre-race lash out with her hind legs as she was loaded into the gates but quickly settled after some expert work from the barrier staff.

The 4-year-old was given a dream sit by leading jockey James McDonald tracking the leader throughout and pushed out quickly on the home turn producing an impressive sprint to win by a half-length over Jungletime with a further 2 lengths back to High Command (third).

Sellwood was bullish about the future racing plans for the race mare.

"She's a nice staying type of mare and could be anything. I always have my heart in my mouth when she's round at the start but the gate staff have being great with her. We used to have a barrier blanket for her but the gate staff told me it was annoying her and she seems to be slowly getting better."