Yourpoint On Winning Point

Utilizing barrier one to trail, Yourpoint (3 g Bull Point - Dollhouse, by Snitzel) got the job done in the $10,000 Chris ‘Grugly' King Memorial Rating 65 1400 metres on 28 January at Hastings.

It was pinpoint accurate riding by Danielle Johnson, who earlier in the programme rode Exaltation (Not A Single Doubt) to victory and notch the 100^thtraining success this season for Jamie Richards.

Owned by Chris Rutten, John Norwood, and Rod Preston, Yourpoint towelled his rivals on debut last December at Matamata, and spelled after a spring campaign in the WRC Northland Breeders Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Te Rapa, won impressively by stable-mate Need I Say More (No Nay Never), and the El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) at Hastings.

He sustained a strong gallop to win a preparatory trial in December at Cambridge, but never comfortable on downgrading Slow8 footing when resuming in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 3 January at Te Aroha.

“It was a good strong win by Yourpoint,” Richards said. “He's a horse we thought could measure up to the best in the spring, but he had a couple of little things holding him back and we were able to give him a break.

“He strengthened, returned in good shape, and just got tripped up by the wet track at Te Aroha. But, back left-handed, up to 1400 metres, and from a good gate, was all a big help to him. It was another lovely ride by Danielle.

“He's a promising horse, tries hard, done nothing wrong to date and he can go on and win more. We vary his work and he likes to do some dressage and enjoys being fussed over.

“It was nice to get another winner for Chris Rutten and his owners, who are really good supporters of the stable.”

Rutten also raced Te Akau-trained Champion Two-Year-Old Yourdeel (Dundeel), the winner of both juvenile Group Ones: Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m).

Now the winner of two from five, by a son of Champion sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), his dam, Dollhouse, by Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), won three races to 1200 metres in Australia, from the family of NZ Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Rockabubble (Bubble Gum Fellow) and dual Group One winner Chortle (Rory's Jester).

Through his sire lines, Yourpoint carries a lovely cross of Danehill (Danzig). Breed-shaping stallion Danehill, the sire of 349 stakes winners, is the sire of Fastnet Rock and grandsire of Snitzel, through Redoute's Choice.

Yourpoint was strapped by Hunter Durrant.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz