Bak Da Master - Masterful

Bak Da Master (6 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess, by Danske) staged an ideal precursor to the Waikato Hurdles when winning the $20,000 Fairview Motors Waikato Open Hurdle (2800m) on Saturday at Te Rapa.

From the family of dual Group One winning stable-mate Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), Bak Da Master looked promising in the jumping role when recording two hurdles wins last season and raced twice on the flat in preparation to resume over jumps.

In the hands of regular work rider and jumps' jockey Michael Roustoby, Bak Da Master dictated a sedentary pace, measured his fences well, and had too much in reserve clearing the final three obstacles in the straight.

Hotly specked in the market, he paid $1.70 & $1.00 on the NZ TAB tote and could hold favouritism for the $50,000 Waikato Hurdles (3200m) on 22 May.

“He's really found his groove in the jumping role and it was a good tough win,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“Left-handed, on top of the ground, seems to suit. He doesn't seem to go as well right-handed on heavy tracks and we'd always planned to get him up and going early in the jumps' season.

“The Waikato Hurdles has been his goal since completing his last preparation. I'm really pleased with how he's going and he's got a bit of improvement to come yet.

“It was a nice ride by Michael (Roustoby). I'm delighted for him because he puts in a lot of hard work. He's a great track work rider, gives really good feedback and is always spot-on with his times. He's a really important part of the team, so good to support him on race day with a nice jumper.”

A half-brother to Group One Easter Handicap winner Pondarosa Miss (High Chaparral) and Group One placed multiple stakes winner Ecuador (High Chaparral), Bak Da Master was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000 at the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, out of the draft Leanach Lodge draft, for the Te Akau Master Syndicate.

“It was very exciting to see the tangerine colours winning the open hurdle on the first day of the Waikato Racing Club jumps' carnival,” Ellis said.

“He's been beautifully educated over the fences by Michael Roustoby, who's doing an incredible job working in the team. He's always on time. He's always got a smile on his face and I'm so proud to have people like Michael working for us.

“He rode Bak Da Master beautifully and I expect Michael will be in demand by jumps' trainers this season. It was a 10 out of 10 ride, the way he got him to relax and had him jumping so well.

“I think it's great for young trainers to prepare jumpers. For Jamie, it shows what a complete horseman he is. He's won all the major two-year-old races, prepared the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year (Amarelinha), two champion older horses in Melody Belle and Avantage, and a promising jumper as well.

“One of the owners in Bak Da Master is Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club John Elstob and his partner Denise. It's fantastic for them and they put a lot of time and money into racing and John's vet company SVS Laboratories is also sponsoring on the programme today. It's incredible the amount of effort that racing administrators in this country put back into the sport.

“Race sponsor Fairview Motors was started by the great Herbie Dyke, who was Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club about 30 years ago. He was a wonderful Chairman who absolutely loved racing, and his two sons Simon and Steven have continued his love for the game. They race horses, are very supportive of their local racing club and are outstanding sponsors. It's a fantastic family and Herbie's legacy lives on.”

Bak Da Master was strapped by Libby Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz