Witchery Weaves Winning Magic

Witchery (4 m Savabeel - Now the World, by Flying Spur) put the writing on the wall with a super fresh-up performance for second and went one better under a lovely ride by Opie Bosson in the $10,000 Haunui Farm Maiden 1200 metres on 26 October at Pukekohe.

Having clocked the fastest last 600m (32.2) on the day, rocketing home over 1000 metres at Tauherenikau, certainly gave rise to her chances up to 1200 metres. Witchery had trialled well before a strong fourth on debut over 1200 metres in May at Matamata, and broke through at her fourth start.

Allowed to find her feet, from barrier two, settling seventh on the inner, Witchery stood the leader seven lengths at the 600m before Bosson angled her clear early in the run home. Balanced up, she had the leaders in sight, quickened to lead when asked to extend over the final furlong and the victory was pretty cosy at the finish.

“She got into a nice rhythm and was breathing beautifully,” Bosson said. “I didn't ride her completely cold, but just enough to switch her off.”

Winning by one and a quarter lengths, Witchery ran the 1200 in 1:11.8 on Dead4 footing and paid $4.40 & $1.70 on both the NZ TAB fixed odds market and the tote.

“She had improved at home and a big thank you to Gerry Harvey and Russell Warwick and his team at Westbury Stud,” Richards said. “She's a four-year-old and they've been patient with her. She drew badly yesterday (Waipukurau), so we waited until today and she got a lovely ride by Opie.

“She got out in centre track where they seem to be winning and charged late. She's a funny sort of mare to get a line on. Not the easiest and the team at home deserve big thanks, because we have to wrap her up in cotton wool a little bit, but she's a good, tough Savabeel and can go on with it.”

By champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel) and in training for Gerry Harvey (Westbury Stud), her dam, Now The World (Flying Spur), has now left five individual winners of 15 races and second dam Light up The World (Rory's Jester) was a multiple group winner in Australia.

“She's getting better with every start and Jamie and the team have done a very good job with her, because she has been a bit of a challenge mentally, but we're winning,” said Westbury Stud general manager Russell Warwick.

“She's got a very good pedigree. Now The World has left two stakes horses: Later Gator (More Than Ready) and Next the Universe (Mossman). It's probably one of Australia's best and biggest families, with Denise's Joy, Thorn Park, Bentley Biscuit, all that family. It's one that Gerry has a lot of and it's a family dear to his heart.”

Warwick said that the mare, Now the World, has a Telperion (Street Cry) colt at foot and going to Swiss Ace (Secret Savings) this year. Telperion is a half-brother to Kementari (Lonhro).

“It was nice to see her step up in what was a reasonably good Maiden field and on the back of that win you'd like to think there's another win not too far around the corner,” Warwick said.

“The communications are excellent with Te Akau. We know exactly what's going on through emails and alike, so very happy and even happier when they're winning.”

Witchery was strapped by Raj Rasheed.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz