Elephant favoured in first

Punters are hoping to get off to a strong start at Te Rapa on Saturday, with unbeaten four-year-old Elephant all the rage in the first event on the card, the Lodge Property Management 1400.

The son of Shocking has won his two starts to date for Emma-Lee and David Browne and has firmed from $2.10 into $1.80 favourite to maintain his unbeaten run.

“He’s still learning, and it is a jump up in class,” Emma-Lee Browne said.

“I don’t think 1400m will be his best distance and he will be better over a mile, but we wanted to give him another run over 1400m so he will learn to settle a bit better.”

Whilst wary of talented rival Packing Rockstar ($3.40), Browne is confident their charge has the quality to win again and will have ace hoop Opie Bosson in the saddle.

 

Wononeohwon relishes true test

Tavistock four-year-old Wononeohwon looks to have a bright future, making it back-to-back wins when coming from a near impossible position to land the Devan Plastics (1400m) at Otaki on Friday under a cool Lisa Allpress ride.

Prepared by local trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, Wononeohwon had previously won over 1400m at the same venue and relished the strong tempo in the race to score in the colours of Jen Campin Bloodstock.

“I love the way Lisa rode him patiently as going forward he will be better over further,” Benner said. “It was a good win.”

Wononeohwon is named after owner John Frew, who passed away after a battle with cancer but resided in apartment 1101 at The Sentinel in Takapuna.

Out of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up Sursum Corda, Wononeohwon shapes as a likely staying type.

Tavistock four-year-old Wononeohwon looks to have a nice future over ground.  Photo credit: Race Images PN

 

Four for Collett at Otaki

Samantha Collett enjoyed a day out at Otaki, riding four winners on the card.

Three-year-old filly Cadeau cruised to victory for Collett for trainer Cody Cole, before the jockey followed up with wins aboard Passione, Smart Remark and the impressive Lady Rudolph.

The Robbie Patterson-trained Lady Rudolph scored in emphatic fashion over 1400m and the six-year-old mare, who has been plagued by issues, will now be tried over ground.

 
Jockey Samantha Collett rode four winners at Otaki on Friday.  Photo credit: Trish Dunell