Brothers at the Bay

NZ Racing Desk and Te Akau Racing report:

A finalist for Champion Three-Year-Old, Champion Stayer, and Horse of the Year, Gingernuts (4 g Iffraaj - Double Elle, by Generous) resumed with a very good performance in the weight-for-age $200,000 Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) on Saturday (Sept. 2) at Hastings.

Although the beneficiary of two preparatory trials, Gingernuts was on the toe and appeared quite fresh leading through the birdcage and you could see in his eye the anticipation of racing. He was dead keen to get out on the track.

Ridden by Opie Bosson, Gingernuts began from barrier ten and settled in the rearward four of sixteen runners. Looking to improve from the 800m, and seven lengths from the leader at the 600m, he lost considerable momentum in tightening around the home turn. It took until the 200m before getting balanced and he then made solid inroads to finish within three lengths of the winner in fifth.

In fact the stewards' report confirmed that Gingernuts had to overcome a check 350 metres from home in an incident that resulted in Cameron Lammas, the rider of the third-placed Underthemoonlight, copping a 10-day suspension.

“It was huge and you couldn't ask for better,” Bosson said. “If he hadn't received the check I think he would have run one, two, or three, for sure.

Gingernuts rolled on solidly past the post, searching for more ground, which is to be expected of a horse that excelled over middle-distances to include a hat-trick of wins in the Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), and Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m) during his three-year-old season.

During the day, Gingernuts shortened massively in betting: fixed odds quote of $16.00 & $4.30 on Friday to a starting price of $5.20 on the tote - third favourite behind fourth placed Kawi ($4.70) and Volpe Veloce ($4.90), sixth.

A TAB pre-post market offered Gingernuts at $2.90 to finish in the first five, which he achieved in the last two strides.

His two trials on 1 August at Te Teko and 18 August at Taupo, over 1000m and 1100m respectively, were each noteworthy and eye-catching.  Although his only previous course attempt had resulted in a win at his second start as a two-year-old, over 1300 metres on Dead5 footing, the prevailing ground which bordered on Heavy (Slow9) after steady drizzle was not entirely to his liking.

“He would have appreciated a better track,” Bosson said.

Immediately after the race, co-trainer Stephen Autridge said:

“There looked to be pushing and shoving at the top of the straight, caused by Underthemoonlight (3rd), and overall his run was terrific when we're looking towards the Caulfield Cup. Running home like that was what we came to see.”

On Monday, co-trainer Jamie Richards told the NZ Racing Newsdesk, “He (Gingernuts) pulled up well after Hastings and I rode him myself this morning - he's a very happy horse.

“He'll run in the Windsor Park Plate at Hawke's Bay next and then we'll have a round table discussion to confirm our next move.”

The weight-for-age $200,000 Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) is contested on Saturday 23 September at Hastings.

Richards was also delighted with the effort of Gingernuts' brother Griffin (pictured below) to finish fifth in the Listed El Roca Sir Colin Meads Trophy.

“He hit the line well after he got a little bit lost when he came across heels at the top of the straight,” he said. “He could perhaps have finished closer and he's come through the race well.

“We'll take him along quietly, the family doesn't need a lot of racing, and he can go five weeks (without a run) into the Hawke's Bay Guineas.”