Willpower Wins - A Matamata Double

Breaking through at his fifth start, Willpower (3 g Power - The Lady, by Stravinsky) provided Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards with his second win on the programme when taking out the $10,000 BDO Rotorua Maiden 1200 metres on 17 April at Matamata.

Steadying into a lovely spot on the outer after being first away for jockey Matt Cameron, Willpower stood the leader and race favourite Holsty (Power) three lengths at the 200m before running him down near the line.

As was the case when stable-mate Folk Dress (Pierro) scored earlier, a good draw and trip helped to prevail.

Willpower clocked 1:11.6, last 600m in 35.4, on Dead4 footing and returned $4.50 & $1.45 fixed on the NZ TAB. 

“It was a good tough win and a sensible ride from Matt (Cameron),” Richards said. “We'd spoken beforehand about him racing a bit handy and keen and not finishing off. But he jumped well, eased for cover and quickened up when setting out after the leader. 

“He's been guilty of not being completely genuine at times, but really attacked the line like he wanted to be there and a vigorous ride from Matt certainly helped. 

“So, congratulations to the 2017 Te Akau Colt Breeding Syndicate. They've been patient with this horse. He was a clear standout in the birdcage, a beautiful looking horse and with his pedigree you can see why he made a price as a yearling.

“Hopefully he can on with it now. He'd finished solidly when resuming with a fourth in March at Waipukurau, and gone on to win so he's heading in the right direction. They key is that he looked like he wanted to do it and some autumn easing in the ground shouldn't worry him.”

Willpower is by Power (Oasis Dream), that made a tremendous start to his stallion career, not only in New Zealand but also Europe where he has already left a Group One winner.

The dam side of his pedigree immersed with talent. Second dam Lady Dehere (Dehere) was an outstanding two-year-old and finished Second Top Filly in her juvenile season, and first dam The Lady was a dual stakes' winning two-year-old of the Murdoch Newell Stakes and Fairview Ford Stakes, both over 1100 metres. 

“He was a stunning specimen as a yearling, but unfortunately too coltish to race as an entire and patient handling has been rewarded with a win,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. 

“That was Jamie's 91^stwin for the season and we're only in mid-April, ties him in the lead on the Trainers Premiership table which is quite incredible and he leads the way in prize money.

“It's an unbelievable achievement by Jamie and all the staff. He's got the best strike rate (4.8) of the top 25 trainers in the country and the overall statistics provide a very good line that everything is being done to a high degree and congratulations to the whole team.”

Willpower was strapped by James Ramsay. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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