4 Win Saturday - Aris Aris Awesome

Owned by Gordon Cunningham and Greg Tomlinson, Aris Aris (4 m Contributer - Irish Encore, by Darci Brahma) extended a very good record with victory in the $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Having resumed with a good effort for fifth in the Rating 83 1000 metres on 11 March at Trentham, won by stable-mate Challa (Dissident), Aris Aris appeared as though she would strip fitter for the first-up assignment and also appreciate stepping in distance. 

Ridden by Warren Kennedy, she improved on the inner behind a competitive pace, angled clear in centre track approaching the 200 metres and sprinted to win very well.

“I was concerned after she missed the kick quite badly, but I was able to get up behind a couple,” Kennedy said. 

“She was able to pick up quite nicely, workmanlike as she ground away to see off any challengers and it was a good win in the end.”

In the race sponsored by Epic Journeys Royal Ascot Tour, Aris Aris ran 1200 metres in 1:11.6 on Soft5 footing and paid $5.20 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“She settled really well with blinkers off and got home nicely like we thought she could,” said assistant trainer Sam Bergerson.

“She does everything right at home and she's transferred that to the track today.”

Aris Aris is now the winner of four races, including four seconds, from 10 starts.

Aris Aris was bred and raced by Kevin Hickman ONZM (Valachi Downs), winning on debut at Taupo, and again at Wanganui, before being sold at auction on gavelhouse.com for $72,500 to owners Gordon Cunningham (Curraghmore Stud) and Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud).

“It was a lovely ride of Warren's and she really attacked the line,” said trainer Mark Walker. 

“She'll be up to the Open company horses now and we'll be trying to get some black type with her for the owners.”

An upcoming race that meets the criteria may be the $65,000 Power Turf Sprint (Listed, 1200m) on Saturday 15 April at Hastings. 

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM said: “We train this mare for two of the very best breeders in New Zealand, and she looks like she'll be competitive in stakes races.

“We took her to the South Island earlier in the season, and she won down there, and the trip away is often the making of them. 

“We've bought some top horses off both Curraghmore and Nearco over the years, greatly appreciate their support in giving us a horse to train, and she's a filly with the pedigree that a stakes win would set her up beautifully for breeding.”

Aris Aris was strapped by Stephanie Hyde-Richards. 

Photo credit - Trish Dunnell