Racing: Stable claims Winter double

Mark Oulaghan. Photo / Daily Post

Mark Oulaghan has been an outstanding raider of feature South Island events during the winter racing period - and shocked many punters yesterday when producing outsider Propel to win the $100,000 Winter Cup at Riccarton.

Awapuni-based Oulaghan is certainly a trainer to follow during the winter - usually led by a massive jumping team - but yesterday he produced the 8-year-old gelding to win the 1600m feature flat event.

Propel, with the feather weight of 52kg on his back, responded to an urgent ride from Lisa Allpress to deny the gallant Taking The Mickey (56.5kg) victory by a nose.

A further 1 lengths away in third position was Royal Flight.

Oulaghan showed his undoubted class as a trainer producing Propel in stunning physical condition - his third race back from a lengthy spell - to capture the Winter Cup.

Riccarton has been a happy hunting ground for Propel - three wins from four starts - his only miss when placed 12th in this event last year.

* * *

Stablemates Counter Punch and Yourtheman produced a pleasing trial for next Saturday's $57,500 Grand National Steeplechase fighting out the finish of the jumps feature.

Counter Punch carried 67kg to a 2 length victory over Yourtheman (68kg) with a further half-length back to Logan James (third).

Leading jumps jockey Isaac Lupton was sporting a large smile at the end of the event in the full knowledge the 10-year-old is in great form heading into next weekend's feature.

Another horseman well-satisfied with the result was jumps racing king trainer Oulaghan who has a knack of peaking winter runners for premier meetings.

* * *

Atom Cat continued an imposing form line this preparation for Matamata trainer Graham Richardson, powering to victory in the $20,000 Open Handicap at Pukekohe.

The 5-year-old son of Traditionally scored by a neck over John Gray with a further 3 lengths back to Coolross (third).

Atom Cat has scored four wins from five starts this campaign - his only miss a last-start seventh behind Eric The Viking in the Opunake Cup.

Stepping up to 1600m did not trouble Atom Cat who has now scored seven wins and four minor placings from 19 starts.

* * *

Apprentice jockey Jenny Whiteside used her 4kg claim to great effect when teaming up with local veteran Bert to win the $15,000 opening event.

Bert won by 1 lengths over Beau Casual with 1 lengths back to Oriental Lad (third).