Richard Rules Again

Richard of Yorke  (7 g Oasis Dream - Cascata, by Montjeu) made it two in a row and provided trainer Jamie Richards with his 96^thwin this season when taking out the $25,000 Pete's Joinery, Precise Design & Build Rating 72 2100 metres on Saturday at Trentham.

A winner previously on slow and heavy going in Australia, Richard of Yorke had shown his liking for rain-affected going when scoring last time out over 2200 metres at Otaki, and got through the Heavy11 conditions much better than his rivals to win by seven and a quarter lengths on this occasion.

Form analysts would have realised his cushy position in the weights, after carrying 58kgs last time he remained in the same grade with Te Akau apprentice Chelsea Burdan lessening the 60-kilo impost to 56kgs. He paid $6.40 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Away well and handily placed on the inner throughout, as the field spread wide in search of the best going, Richard of Yorke appeared to travel well when levelling on the inside of four runners at the 600m and simply romped away over the last 300m.

“It was a really good win, very pleasing for the owners, and he's put a couple together now,” Richards said. “He's got quite an extravagant action and we always thought he would appreciate the tracks at this time of year. He clearly handles wet ground and the further they went the further he got in front. 

“Chelsea rode the horse well and Alexis (White) who took him down has a real soft spot for the horse. Heading into winter, if we place him right he should add to the prize money for his owners.”

Owned by the Te Akau Plantagenet Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Richard of Yorke was a winner on slow ground over 2414 metres at Royal Ascot before being sold to Australia. Following a further two wins over 2400 metres and $200,000 in prize money, he was on sold for $42,000 on Gavelhouse. 

“He's got a really good international pedigree and a horse that Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and Mark Walker arranged to buy,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “He's proving a good investment for the owners. He loves soft tracks, improved on his last win and looks capable of winning more.

“Karyn syndicated the horse within half an hour of being posted on our website and he's a classic example of how important Gavelhouse is for the industry. It's a great innovation by New Zealand Bloodstock and their regular online sales allow horses like this to be offered when they're ready for sale.

“It was also a big thrill to see Chelsea (Burdan) ride another winner for us. She handled the horse really well and we've had great success with apprentices over the years. 

“And it's great to see Jamie getting closer to 100 wins in his first season as sole trainer at Te Akau. He's got the best strike (5.3) among the top 20 trainers, had 17 stakes wins, and we're all looking forward again to the next season starting in August.”

Recording his sixth win, Richard of Yorke was denied room on a couple of occasions during a spring campaign at Riccarton, and spelled after contesting the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) in November. 

In summary of the win by Richard of Yorke, jockey Chelsea Burdan said: “I was pleased with the win and it made my day. He travelled the whole way, after being a bit keen at the start, and turning for home I stuck to the middle of the track because it was quite bad on the outside. But, he wanted to run out wider, so I let him, and he still kicked home nicely. It was really good. 

“The ground was very wet and quite holding and to be fair it didn't cut up as much as I thought it would of. Turning for home, I thought we had it. Everyone was getting a bit tired and I was still travelling well. He was happy in the going and Jamie had taken the side winkers off and he didn't over race. Once he relaxed into his work it was a nice trip.” 

By Oasis Dream (Green Desert), the sire of over 170 stakes winners, his dam sire Montjeu was one of the highest quality horses in the world, winning the Irish Derby, French Derby, and Arc de Triomphe, before experiencing great success when standing at stud in New Zealand.

Richard of Yorke was strapped by Alexis White.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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