Music to Our Ears

Debut winner Don'tblamethemusic (3g Coats Choice - Blame the Music, by Stravinsky) made it two from two on 20 January in the $20,000 Rating 65 1200 metres at Tauranga.

After registering a strong Maiden win over 1200 metres on 31 December at Stratford, Don'tblamethemusic faced a much stiffer assignment but had shown in the manner of his win that he could measure up for the Te Akau Musical Syndicate owners.

“We've always liked the horse,” said Stephen Autridge, who co-trains with Jamie Richards.

“Dave (Ellis) and Jamie (Richards) bought him from the (NZB) South Island Sale.  We didn't know how to compare Stratford form to here, especially being a feature meeting but he's a nice horse in the making.”

Ridden by Opie Bosson, Don'tblamethemusic was away well to lead in the early stages before being headed off by race favourite Pinzalot (Pins) at the 800m. He levelled up nicely to challenge on straightening and despite the pair drifting out on the track was unable to gain an advantage where it mattered most.

“It was a good effort as he was trying to run off up the straight, so I wasn't sure whether I'd got there in the end but we'd done enough,” Bosson said.

“He ran away from Jason's (Waddell) horse (Pinzalot) up the straight, got on the wrong leg and still has a lot to learn but he gives you a nice feel and has a nice turn of foot, and once he puts it all together he'll be alright.”

On Dead4 footing, Don'tblamethemusic paid $6.00 & $1.70 on the tote and $5.50 & $1.55 fixed odds.

Purchased as a yearling for $22,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, from the Three Valleys' draft, Don'tblamethemusic has a Northern Dancer cross on both sides of his pedigree, inbreeding to Nureyev on the dam side, and has a Zabeel (Sir Tristram) influence as sire of his grand-dam Noubeel.

“I was very pleased with his Stratford run, which he won like a good horse and while he was a bit lucky today it was still very good,” said part-owner Lois Martin.

“We get good communication from the stables, Steve and Jamie have done a good job with him and it's quite exciting. He's just needed some time to mature and the fact that they really like the horse is encouraging.”

Don'tblamethemusic became the tenth winner for Te Akau Racing in the past week - five in both New Zealand and Singapore - with the latest following back-to-back wins by Unfazed (Zabeel) and Princess Davone (Iffraaj) on Wednesday at Rotorua.

It was the 45th win this season for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, positioning them second in the premiership and seven off the lead.

Don'tblamethemusic was strapped by Jasmine Fawcett.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz