Rapid by Name, by Nature

Te Akau's second win of the day came courtesy of and Australian bred horse and Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman gave credit for the perfect ride by Matt Cameron in getting home Rapid Gain (4 g Flying Spur - Occasional Gain, by Lunchtime) in the Bayleys National Benchmark 65 1400 metres on Jan. 6 at Rotorua.

“It was a ten out of ten ride from Matthew (Cameron),” said Bridgman.

“He really did give him the gun run, changed the stick to his left hand turning in and had the horse flatten out under some stern riding and I think he will really learn a lot from the race, this horse, and there is no doubting his ability.

“He is starting to shape into the horse we've always believed he could be, today, and I was pleased with the improvement in his all-round performance. He settled nicely, travelled kindly on the bridle and when he hit the front he kept to his task and ran through the line strongly.

From an awkward draw, Cameron secured a lovely trip in fourth on the outer aboard Rapid Gain and off a solid tempo he responded to vigorous riding in drawing clear over the latter stages to win dominantly by one and three-quarter lengths.

Having never sighted clear galloping room when crossing the line largely untested in the corresponding race on the same course, Dec. 27, Bridgman felt drawing out in barrier eight would be beneficial to the chances of Rapid Gain and so it proved.

Winning as he did and clocking 1:22.42 for the 1400 metres, last 600m in 34.6, certainly indicates the rangy chestnut gelding is capable of competing at a higher level and it appears he will only get better with racing.

In the mould a strapping Aussie sprinter, standing 16.3hh and weighing 600kg, Rapid Gain was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $90,000 at the 2011 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Owned by a convivial group of owners in the Te Akau Rapid Gain Syndicate, he is a half-brother to Blue Diamond (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner True Jewels (Brief Truce), a race in which his sister, Wager (Flying Spur), finished second. Wager also won the Stan Fox Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m), Sir Byrne Hart (Gr. 2, 1400m) and finished runner-up in the Sires' Produce (Gr. 1, 1400m), Champagne Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), Tea Rose Stakes (Gr. 2, 1500m), and the Furious Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m).

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz