Racing: Waddell blows 'em away

Jason Waddell. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Apprentice jockey Jason Waddell delivered the killer blow to punters when combining with Kristov to defeat champion 3-year-old Darci Brahma in the Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa yesterday.

The weight-for-age 1400m feature was billed as a one-horse race, dominated by Darci Brahma.

Waddell had a different idea and rode the race of his life to shock the betting public when rating Kristov to perfection in front throughout.

Kristov and Waddell were given an easy time and allowed to control the tempo of the race, setting some soft lead sectional times before unleashing a blistering closing 600m lead sprint.

By the time Darci Brahma and jockey Michael Walker had worked out of the pack, the race was over as Kristov had put a conservative 10-length winning margin between himself and the favourite.

Darci Brahma closed rapidly over the final 100m and did well to get within three-quarters of a length of the winner. A further long head away in third position was Gee I Jane.

Tactically, it was a brilliant ride by Waddell, who identified the lack of a genuine leader and took the initiative by stealing a soft lead time in front.

"It was a brilliant ride by Jason [Waddell] as we looked at the field and thought there was a lack of speed in the race and it made sense to press forward and lead," said Kristov's trainer Phillip Stevens.

"As soon as they left him alone in front I started smiling to myself because I knew we had a fit racehorse and we would be bloody tough to run past in the home straight.

"It was a good effort as he carried 57 1/2 kilograms today and did all the work in front, but he's used to carrying big weights when he races."

Kristov has been a model of consistency for the Matamata-based Stevens, scoring 13 wins and 22 minor placings from 42 starts.

While honours were with the winner, nothing could be taken from the performance of Darci Brahma.

The blueblood son of Danehill paraded in magnificent order before the race and settled four places back against the rails before working out into the middle of the field with 600m remaining.

By the time Michael Walker had hooked him out into a challenging position, the race was over as Kristov had put a huge break on the field.

Walker was far from disappointed with the performance of Darci Brahma to finish second.

"You have to give credit where it's due and the leader and winner was rated well in front and really put the speed on from the 600m mark.

"By the time we got out he had said goodbye to the rest of the field and my horse did well to get so close at the finish," said Walker.

Gee I Jane fought on gallantly for third after racing in the middle of the field. She had a titanic battle down the home stretch with Darci Brahma.


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