No Tricks - Top Stakes' Win

A combination of very good form and give in the ground conspired to No Tricks (3 f Savabeel - Mezaire, by Al Akbar) recording a valuable stakes' win in the New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) on Saturday April 18 at Riccarton.

A week ago on the same course, No Tricks came clear with her rival, Consensus (Postponed), when narrowly beaten in the New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m) and turned the tables this time, while Belle Miraaj (Iffraaj) again filled the third placing.

Prior to heading south from the Te Akau stables in Matamata, No Tricks had got going late for fourth to subsequent Flying Handicap (Listed, 1400m) winner Vespa (Elusive City) in the Wellington Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on March 14 at Trentham, having made very good headway from last when finishing fourth to Passing Shot (Swiss Ace) in the Mr Tiz Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Ellerslie, and on the same course put in two solid performances during the Christmas carnival, finishing second to Huka Eagle (Swiss Ace) in a 3YO 1400 metres and then fourth to Volkstok'n'barrell (Tavistock) and stable-mate Rockfast (Fastnet Rock) in the Great Northern Guineas (Gr. 2, 1600m).

Bred and owned by Paul & Cushla Smithies, No Tricks was recording her second win, having finished second three times, in eight starts.

“She's been running very good races in top-class fields, just missing black type,” said Paul Smithies.  “She finished second in the lead up race last week and now she's got a stakes' win, so we're thrilled.

“We raced the mother (Mezaire) in Australia and she was possibly a better mare than her five wins suggested, as she suffered a foot injury, and we have a share in Savabeel (Zabeel) so that brought about the mating.”

From barrier one, jockey David Walsh was able to give No Tricks an economical trip behind the leader and she worked into the clear at the 300m. With Consensus to her inner, the pair again settled down to fight out the finish before No Tricks drew out to a half-length advantage at the line.

Running the 2000 metres in 2:04.1, last 600m in 34.4, No Tricks returned $4.10 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB.

On hand to witness the race, Te Akau racing manager Jamie Richards said: “She had pulled up extremely well after finishing second last week and stable foreman Steve O'Neill has done an outstanding job with her during the week in Christchurch.

“The filly has enjoyed being the centre of attention, never left any feed and Steve reported that Andy Didham, her rider during the week, had said that her action had been very good.

“She is a filly that appreciates a bit of cut in the tracks, which helped in the one week backup. She presented in very good order; her coat had a great sheen to it and she was bright in the eye.

“It was a lovely ride by David Walsh and it was quite fitting that Te Akau was able to win the Warstep Stakes, sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock, on such a sad day for the industry with the passing of Philip Vela,” said Richards.

Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman said: “It was a great win by No Tricks. Obviously the query was going to be the 2000 metres, but when she drew barrier one, on track conditions improving back to dead that it was going to give her every chance to see the trip out.

“She was a little keen early, but David (Walsh) did a great job in getting her to relax and it was a good, gutsy effort.

“She has been busy this season, with a lot of travel, so to knock out a stakes win was fantastic ahead of a well-earned spell,” said Bridgman.