Gold for Stan's Silver

Silverdale (6 g Castledale - Elianto, by Desert Sun) did justice to a brand new set of silks when recording a dominant victory in the $25,000 J Turkington Forestry/ Wai Pine Holdings Bulls Country Cup over 1500 metres on Saturday at Awapuni.

With the other sets of Autridge colours having seen better days, the arrival of two new sets of Mitty's silks was timely and complimenting the smart appearance was an effort to match by a talented galloper taken along quietly by trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

Much credit must also go to Lynley Autridge, who has a special relationship with the horse.

“Lynley spoils him more than she spoils me, and just loves him,” said Autridge, cheekily.

Referring to the colours, Autridge said: “We hummed and haa-ed this morning and I bought the old ones down but Tavi's Star won in her brand new silks so we're not that superstitious and they looked pretty good today going past the post in front”.

Darryl Bradley took the mount aboard Silverdale and settled seventh on the inner. From six lengths off the pace at the 600m, he angled clear on straightening, cruised up to lead at the 200m, and required only hands and heels after putting two lengths on his rivals.

“He can do that when he's right,” said Autridge. “He loves getting into the clear and although he was down on the inside, once Darryl got him clear he just goes.

“He (Bradley) studied all the videos this morning; knew he was a good horse and knew how best to ride him,” said Autridge.

The win provided another thrill for owner Stan Painton. A great advocate of the sport, Painton was unable to be on course but instead watched the race on television from the coinciding meet at Avondale.

“Stan's been with me since the early days at Te Akau (early 90s) and has always had horses with me,” said Autridge.  “He's got about six or seven in work with us currently, so he puts an enormous amount into the game.

“He's like a grandfather to me and it's unbelievable to win for him. We had offers up to $400,000 for Silverdale and although we're still behind the eight ball we've all had a lot of fun with him over the past three or four years. And that's what it's all about for Stan - going to the races and meeting everybody.

Backed into third favourite ($6.30 & $2.20), Silverdale was having his fourth start back from a spell and brought very good form from his last two starts at Tauranga. The most recent of which, last Saturday, he worked home for fifth over 1400 metres as the leaders ran a slashing 33.3 off the front. The race won by Close Up (Shinko King).

Stakes' placed as a two-year-old in the Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m), having already won on debut, Silverdale came from second last when finishing third to Sacred Falls (O'Reilly) in the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) and has continued to produce solid performances in stakes' races from 1200m to 2000m. His seven wins have registered $153,510 in prize money, and his latest entry suggests there is more to come.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz