KEY POINTS:
The Pooka overcame an usual training regime to register Group One winning glory in the $325,000 2000 Guineas at Riccarton yesterday.
New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler has been widely acknowledged for a number of years as a master horseman capable of peaking stable runners when the serious stake money is on offer.
Wheeler had second thoughts about travelling the speedy gelding to Christchurch to contest the First Sovereign Trust-sponsored event after a tough opening to the new racing season.
Earlier this season the majority of The Pooka's age group rivals were having an easy time while the Wheeler-trained star was clashing on the racetrack with glamour weight-for-age mares Seachange and Princess Coup.
After three useful efforts in weight-for-age company, Wheeler then decided to travel The Pooka to Christchurch to take on New Zealand's leading spring 3-year-olds.
The Pooka showed his toughness and stamina when it mattered, sitting outside the leader and waging a stride-for-stride battle over the closing 200m to register a determined head victory over Alamosa.
A further 1 1/4 lengths away in third position was the favourite Rios, who sat three wide during the early stages of the race, before securing a sit behind the leaders.
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Noel Harris showed his customary patience and perfect judgment when kicking home second favourite Everswindell to score an effortless victory in the $220,000 New Zealand Cup.
Everswindell sat against the rail in midfield before Harris aggressively punched the mare between runners in the home stretch in search of clear racing room.
The 5-year-old mare then unleashed a blistering sprint down the outer to claim a 1 1/4-length victory over the pace setting Bringbackthebiff.
A further 2 3/4 lengths away in third position was Tedriffic.
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San Bernadino made amends for an unlucky last-start fourth placing with an effortless victory in the $55,000 (listed) Welcome Stakes.
The colt son of Gold Mine was trapped wide in the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham at his last-start but received an easier trip in yesterday's 1000m dash.
Leading jockey Lisa Cropp had the third favourite nicely positioned outside the pace-setting Al Qurhah and San Bernardino effortlessly lengthened stride with 200m remaining to sprint clear of the opposition.
San Bernardino scored by three lengths over Amazing Sky, with a further half-head back to Al Qurhah (third).
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Close finishes were the order of the day at Tauranga where Who Knows and High Octane dead-heated for first place in the feature $80,000 Tauranga Stakes.
High Octane had the run of the race behind iron-horse Sir Slick and pounced quickly in the home stretch when the leader faded.
Who Knows came with a blistering sprint through the middle of the pack to dead-heat for first.
