Racing: Zvezda shows plenty of heart to win feature

Palmerston North-based jockey Bruce Herd was full of praise for Zvezda after the pair combined to score a narrow but determined victory in the $100,000 Weight-For-Age feature at Otaki yesterday.

Many punters believed that Zvezda would thrive racing on the track conditions as the Otaki surface was officially described as soft after persistent rain throughout the day.

But that was far from the truth.

Zvezda slipped on three occasions during the running of the 1400 metre sprint feature but refused to accept defeat relentlessly reeling in the pace setting Shastri-who had a 4.5 kilogram advantage on the winner under the weight scaling system-and scoring by a neck.

This pair had the finish to themselves as there was a further 3 1/4 lengths back to Travellin' Man (third).

"This is the first time I've ridden Zvezda and he's a real gentleman to ride and a very professional racehorse," said Herd.

"He slipped on three occasions during the running. He slipped early on during the race and again at the 600 metre mark and just before the home turn.

"When most horses have difficulty handling a wet track like this they generally drop the bit and flag it but this horse kept picking the bit up and kept chasing the leader.

"He's a very honest racehorse and tries his heart out all the time. He does have good form on a heavy track (five starts for five wins) but the track today wasn't really heavy going and under the circumstances it was a top effort."

The irony of the race was the fact that rival jockey Hayden Tinsley elected to ride King's Chapel in preference to Zvezda in yesterday's feature event. This allowed Herd to secure the winning ride.

The wet track conditions forced Mark Walker, the trainer of King's Chapel, to scratch his weight-for-age star from the $100,000 event.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY