3 Win Wednesday - Believe It Or Not - Sure Can

Putting it all together, Believe It Or Not (3 g Star Witness - Believe You Me, by Thorn Park) won the $14,000 Matamata Direct Drilling Maiden 1200 metres on 29 March at Matamata.

Striking heavy tracks, being denied a run, and missing the start on a couple of occasions, six starts went by before Believe It Or Not got his ducks in a row and victory resulted.

While each of his races had merit, five fifths filled his form line, which provided the stable and owners some frustrations. 

“He's been a very difficult horse and Tayla Wenn and Scott Lucock have worked hard to get him right and jump out of the barriers,” said racing manager Reece Trumper. 

“He wasn't an overly expensive horse that Dave (Ellis) bought, but he obviously saw something in him, although it's taken awhile for the penny to drop. 

“Off that, the more ground he has the better he's going to get and he should take confidence from the win and be able to go on with it.”

Positioned seventh inner by jockey Ryan Elliot, Believe It Or Not stood the leader six lengths at the 600m, angled clear at the 300m and sustained a strong finish to get up near the line. 

“I'd like to thank the Matamata Racing Club for preparing such a great surface,” Trumper added. “We've won a lot of races here and love winning races on our home course.” 

On Soft5 footing, Believe It Or Not ran 1200 metres in 1:12.5, last 600m in 36.0, and paid $7.00 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“We took the visor blinkers of, he jumped away better today and it was a good ride by Ryan,” said trainer Mark Walker. 

“He had to do a bit of work to clear traffic, but hit the line strongly and it won't be his last win.”

Owned by Te Akau Better Believe It Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Believe It Or Not was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $60,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “He's a beautiful strong colt, with standout markings, and is a really correct stunner.

“We love him as a type and thought he was particularly good value at the price.”

Sire Star Witness, a Group One winning sprinter by World Champion Miler Starcraft (Soviet Star), was also represented by talented dual winning sprinter Phantom Witness, purchased by Ellis at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale and trained by Te Akau.

Dam Believe You Me is by Thorn Park (Spinning World), the sire of five-time Group One winning stallion Ocean Park.

Possessing blistering speed, Thorn Park was a fantastic racehorse that came from last to win the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr. 1, 1400m). 

The dam side of the family is exceptional. The Alberton family continues to produce some of the best modern day racehorses seen in both New Zealand and Australia. 

Believe It Or Not was strapped by Hannah MacCann. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz