Nothing Accidental About Him

Appearing hard to beat, Accidental Tourist (3 g Telperion - Megara, by Encosta de Lago) won the $30,000 3YO 1600 metres on Saturday at Wanganui.

The only runner for trainer Mark Walker at Wanganui, Accidental Tourist had raced clear in the fastest last 600m (37.8) on the day to win the 3YO 1400 metres on 13 May at Rotorua, having stakes' placed in the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1340m) on a Heavy10 track earlier in the season, and he appeared a leading contender. 

Ridden by Johnathan Parkes, who notched his 1000^th win aboard stable-mate Fellini (Belardo) on 20 May at Awapuni, Accidental Tourist was urged into contention from the 600m and kept up to his work in beating noted wet track performer Carignan (Roc de Cambes). 

“He's a good progressive horse,” said Walker, after recording his 186^th win this season.

“I don't think he's just a wet tracker as he showed at Manawatu when he won on a good track, he's versatile and is putting together a very solid record.

“He's had a really good season, winning four times. We'll put him aside now, let him develop and strengthen further and I think he'll come back and win a nice race as a four-year-old.”

In the race sponsored by David Hoskins Carriers, Accident Tourist ran 1600 metres in 1:48.6 on Heavy10 footing and from an opening fixed odds quote of $2.70 he shortened to pay $2.20 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

The main reason for the optimism centred around his last start victory on heavy ground at Rotorua. Ridden by Michael McNab, who combined to win with the 3YO recently at Awapuni, Accidental Tourist tailed the field before being set alight nearing the home turn and he treated his rivals with disdain when racing clear to win by four and three-quarter lengths. 

As Walker alluded to, running home (600m) in 32.9 when winning on good ground at Awapuni, and previously clocking the fastest 600m (34.6) when finishing third in February at Otaki, is certainly indicative of a horse not just adept on wet ground.

Winning four of his 11 starts, Accidental Tourist was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $80,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud, and races in the Schick family Windsor Park Stud colours for owners Jonny & Bex Schick and Berridge & Olivia Spencer.

From the first crop of beautifully bred young stallion Telperion (Street Cry), standing at Westbury Stud, Accidental Tourist is out of a mare by Champion Broodmare Sire Encosta de Lago (Fairy King) that has also left stakes' winner and twice Group Three placed Red Striker (Red Giant), and three-time winner Mega Bourbon (El Roca).

Grand-dam Make Me Strong (Danehill) was a very well bred mare that left 10 to race, including eight winners, and Te Akau experienced success with the family having trained stakes' placed filly Dreamer (More Than Ready). 

Accidental Tourist was strapped by Casey Brown.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz