Remington Sharp as Steel(e)

A strong finisher for second on debut, a week earlier at Gisborne, Remington (3 g Darci Brahma - Kudamm, by Cape Cross) went one better for the Te Akau Remington Steele Syndicate in the Wairoa Star Sprint on 25 February at Wairoa.

Sharper leaving the gates on this occasion, Remington secured a handy spot with cover inside the 800m, challenged to lead on straightening for the short run home, and established a winning break.

“It was a good ride from Sam (Weatherley),” said Jamie Richards, training partner with Stephen Autridge. “He put him in the spot, after getting back last time, but 10 out of 10 today.

“We like supporting these sorts of race meetings,” Richards said. “It's been a great carnival and full credit to (president) Paul Toothill and his team. They've done such a good job, and I'd like to thank Hannah Lowry and Meg Lambert who brought the horses down and they've done a great job as well.

“Also to Dave (Ellis) for buying another really nice Darci (Brahma), we love these Darci's and he's a really nice horse. It won't be his last win.”

Weatherley said: “I probably didn't give him the best of rides last Sunday, but I'm glad Te Akau and Dave Ellis stuck with me today and I was able to get the job done.

“That was the plan, to put him right in the race and ride him like the best horse. We ended up getting the one-one. He's put them away and ended up doing it quite nicely.”

Starting race favourite ($3.30 & $1.60), Remington ran the 1200 metres in 1:12.4 on good footing.

From the impressive winner and stakes placed mare Kudamm (Cape Cross), who notched three of her four wins over 1600 metres, he was purchased a yearling by David Ellis for $75,000, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, and commenced racing following back-to-back seconds at the trials.

“He's yet another really good horse that I've bought from Pencarrow Stud, and Steve and Jamie have handled him patiently,” Ellis said.

“Sir Peter (Vela) and his Pencarrow Stud are terrific breeders in the Waikato, and the success I've had with buying horses carrying their ‘V in the Box' brand is quite incredible. They breed strong horses, that eat well, have quality pedigrees, good to train, and they win races.

“Obviously, I bought Darci Brahma from them and Mark (Walker) trained him to win five group one races. We trained both the mother and the father of this horse, so I know the family very well. I love the Darci Brahma's. He's having another fantastic season. Yet again, he's the leading sire in Singapore, doing so well in Hong Kong - winning group one races - he's just a wonderful sire and it's always a thrill to win races with his progeny.

“From what we've seen in his first two starts, I think Remington has the makings of a horse that can get to a higher level next season. We thought her dam (Kudamm) could have been an Oaks filly, but she hurt herself, and with Sadler's Wells siring his grand-dam the pedigree is there for him to go further.”

Ellis also praised young rider Sam Weatherley (18), notching his 120^th win, for his handling of the horse.

“Sam has a great record in the tangerine. I gave his father, Darryn, his first winning ride aboard Slice of Heaven (Star Way) during a night meeting at Avondale. Sam is riding really well and it's always a pleasure to have him on our horses,” he said.

Remington was strapped by Hannah Lowry.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz