First Runner for New Season, First Winner

It was a case of the new season starting with, as the past season had been full of - winning!  Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards took one horse to the races on Sunday - and in the very first race, on the very first day of the new season, the tangerine colours flew home ...

In front and out of trouble, Richard of Yorke (10 g Oasis Dream - Cascata, by Montjeu) won the $20,000 Restricted Open Hurdle (3100m) on Sunday at Te Aroha.

Enhancing a terrific course record, Richard of Yorke had recorded a dominant victory in the Restricted Open Hurdle (3100m) on 27 June at Te Aroha, while still a Maiden jumper after placing in all five hurdle starts, and continued to demonstrate growth in confidence.

Richard of Yorke travelled comfortably on the pace, despite having company throughout, and responded to a shake of the reins by regular pilot Michael Roustoby in drawing clear over the last obstacle.

Winning by three and three-quarter lengths, he tightened in betting from $3.50 & $1.40 fixed odds to pay $2.60 & $1.30 (TAB tote) in the race sponsored by Naturphos Liquid Fertiliser.

The winner of six on the flat, prior to consecutive hurdle victories, Richard of Yorke could have a prestige hurdle victory to his credit had the Wellington Hurdle (Prestige, 3400m) not been abandoned due to weather conditions on 17 July at Trentham. Proven to cope with testing conditions and having raced well at Trentham, he was a 7 - 1 shot for the prestigious event.

“It was a shame to miss the Wellington Hurdle at Trentham,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM. “That race looked like it might suit him perfectly, especially under minimum weight (65kg). He was going well and we thought he might force the issue because he seems to love the most testing ground.

“But on the strength of his win, hopefully there will be more suitable hurdling assignments for him during this campaign.

“He's got a really good international pedigree and a horse that Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and Mark Walker arranged to buy.”

Richard of Yorke was a winner on slow ground over 2414 metres at Royal Ascot before being sold to Australia. Following a further two wins over 2400 metres and $200,000 in prize money, he was on sold for $42,000 on Gavelhouse and is now owned by Te Akau Plantagenet Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“What a fantastic way to start the new season, by winning the first race,” Ellis said. “I'm thrilled for the owners and so proud of Michael Roustoby. He won our most recent Team Member of the Quarter Award and it was a really good ride today. He's a very important part of the stable and does a great job.

“We're only four weeks away from the start of spring (1 September) and I know all our owners will be chomping at the bit to get out and about and see their horses racing.

“We're lucky to have such great training facilities at Matamata. Jamie (Richards) has the team ready to go and I can't wait to see how next season unfolds for Te Akau and everyone connected with horse racing in this country. It's exciting.”

For champion trainer Jamie Richards, after ending last season with a record-breaking 160 wins (68 clear of second), winning the first race of a new season provided the perfect start.

“The horse had been going well and it's pretty special to win the first race of the season,” Richards said. “Obviously he was supposed to going to Wellington, but the meeting was abandoned and I thought the field, when they transferred it a week later at Hastings, was a bit strong for him at this stage.

“He likes heavy track conditions and aided by a nice ride from Michael (Roustoby). We've done some work on getting him out of the barriers better and it's helped him race handy to the speed.

“He put on a good display of jumping and Mike feels he's gone to the next level. He's enjoying his routine in work, is progressing well, and looks like he could head toward better things.”

Richard of Yorke was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.racimages.co.nz