PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK 

Jake Bayliss 

It was a big Wednesday for rider Jake Bayliss as he went to Pukekohe with a full book of rides and didn’t have to wait long to break through, scoring aboard BOURBON ROAD in Race 3. By Race 4, Jake quickly turned that into a double for the day with a winning ride on JUJU POP. The wins didn’t stop there though, as he saluted in the very next race aboard CORNWALLIS and in Race 6, a calm ride on RISING PACIFIC saw the pair get back in running and flash home late to score by a 1/2 head on the line giving the rider four wins in a row. A performance well worthy of recognition! 

RIDE OF THE WEEK 

Opie Bosson – Zourion 

Another calculated ride from the master Opie Bosson aboard classy filly ZOURION. It is something we see time and again from the top jockey, but it was a ride worthy of the win. Opie took Zourion back in the race off a hot early speed. But with his experience and class, Opie realised that taking the filly out and around the field on the rain affected track was going to make it a big ask. He was able to quietly let Zourion improve inside runners rounding the turn and at the top of the straight when others were scouting wide for runs, he cut the corner and was able to shoot away. When it looked like the challengers were coming, the ground saving run showed and Zourion was able to maintain the strongest gallop to the line.  

HORSES TO FOLLOW 

Race 1 Pukekohe, February 22 

Verismo 

The race had panned out perfectly for the ‘get-back’ style of runner. On the point of the corner VERISMO was beginning her run when she had to check off heels, out of a gap that closed on her. Wiremu Pinn then went seeking another gap that soon closed again on the pair. Finally, at the 200m mark when a third gap closed, Wiremu had no option but to shut the engine down and ease Verismo down to the line. She has been racing in great form of late and all things suggest that elusive first win will come very soon. 

Race 4 Wanganui, February 23 

Tanzanite Rose 

A mare who has quickly found herself up in grade. Within 4 starts she has gone from winning a maiden to competing at Rating 75 grade. Her usual pattern is to race toward the front of the field, however, a check at the start saw her go back to last in running in the small field. Spotting the leaders around 6 lengths entering the straight, she had plenty to do. She chased gamely down the straight and recorded the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m & 200m sectionals. She is obviously a mare with talent and looks right at home in Rating 75 company. The stable has her in great form and with some luck, she will be winning again soon.  

Race 4 Otaki, February 25 

Prioress 

As anticipated, PRIORESS was taken to the rear of the field early and unfortunately had no luck from there, parked three-wide without any cover. At the 600m, the pair started to make a sweeping run to get into a challenging position at the top of the straight. The luck still didn’t come, when race favourite, WAIRAU COVE made his run at the same time, flushing Prioress even wider in to the straight. Prioress loomed up to win, but the tough run in transit told, and she was beaten a small 1/2 head margin. The rise to 1400m has suited this mare and her record suggests even more ground will assist.