NEW PLYMOUTH - Manawatu owner-trainer Laurie Christensen appeared to use the handicapping system to advantage in assisting his good winter galloper What A Hassle to win the Opunake Cup (1600m) at Hawera.
What A Hassle snatched a last stride victory, beating runner-up Strauss's Delight by a nose in the $12,000 event. Midday Son was a short head back third.
Christensen entered both What A Hassle and The Blazer for the Opunake Racing Club's feature race on Saturday.
The stablemates ended up being the two highest weighted horses in the race - The Blazer topweight with 58kg and What A Hassle at 55kg.
Christensen scratched The Blazer, who was also entered for another race on the card, the day after the fields were declared.
"Someone left him in the field," Christensen said with a wry smile after the race.
The presence of The Blazer compressed the weights for those under him and left What A Hassle with what was considered a luxury weight.
What A Hassle has been a great money spinner for Christensen. The win was his 12th from 83 starts. The nine-year-old now has earnings of just over $150,000.
Christensen admitted he had originally planned taking the horse Te Rapa to run in the Taumarunui Cup.
He has no set plans for What A Hassle, but will keep the horse going while the tracks are rain affected.
What A Hassle, aided by a patient ride by David Walker was near the back in the 12-horse field on the home turn and unleashed a powerful finishing burst down the outside to claim victory on the line.
Walker is a welcome return to the dwindling riding ranks in the central districts, having recently rarrived back in New Zealand from Singapore.
Walker said he enjoyed the experience and was keen to return to Singapore if the opportunity arose.
"I was offered a contract in Malaysia, but I'd prefer to wait for one to come up in Singapore," he said.
Walker said he was pleased to be back and was looking forward to renewing his association with top class galloper Cent Home in the spring.
- NZPA
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