KEY POINTS:
Another group of equine athletes were introduced to a familiar sight on North Island racetracks in 2007 - the muscular rump of front-running warrior Sir Slick.
The 5-year-old outmuscled eight rivals effortlessly at Awapuni yesterday winning the $100,000 (Group Two) Awapuni Gold Cup.
Bruce Herd was back on board Sir Slick for this assignment and they had to work harder than expected during the opening 400m of the event to secure the lead.
Sir Slick then relaxed in front and lengthened stride with staggering ease midway down the home stretch to score by 4 1/2 lengths over All Square with a further 1 1/4 lengths back to Arabian Nights (third).
Sir Slick has been the dominant performer in New Zealand in 2007, thrilling crowds with his powerhouse front running.
The good news for rival trainers is that Sir Slick will have one more race outing this campaign, at Ellerslie on April 14, before heading to the spelling paddock for a well-deserved break.
That will allow others the opportunity to win an open handicap or weight-for-age event as Sir Slick has dominated both grades this year.
Sean Collins was shaking his head in disbelief following the running of the $100,000 Manawatu Classic.
The Waikato-based jockey had just combined with Te Awamutu entrant Pasta Post to record a 5 1/4 length thumping of age-group rivals in the Group Two event.
The staggering home stretch sprint unleashed by the son of Postponed was unexpected as the 3-year-old was having his first start following an unplaced performance four weeks ago in the Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie.
Collins said the acceleration that Pasta Post turned on coming down the straight was much more than he had expected.
"I thought that he might grind his way to the line but he let down and really sprinted."
Collins said Pasta Post could be forgiven his unplaced run in the derby because the race was an afterthought and the combination was caught wide in the running.
Pasta Post scored a midweek trial victory at Te Awamutu and clearly that outing did not affect the fitness levels of the gelding.
Castlebar rattled home late to finish second with a further 1 1/4 lengths back to Overkaast (third).
