PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Niranjan Parmar

An apprentice who has found a real touch of form lately, Niranjan bagged 5 winners throughout last week. A winning double at Matamata, with a standout ride where he was rewarded for his patience early aboard MYLA then transitioned into a successful Saturday for the 2kg claimer. He turned up to Tauranga with a good book of rides and it was no surprise to see him kick home three in a row aboard MERLOTTI & AOTEA LAD for his chief supporters Te Akau as well as ASK MUM for Wexford Stables, another of his top supporters.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Sam Weatherley – Maria Farina

From the wide draw Sam Weatherley took MARIA FARINA back to the rear of the field. Crossing the junction in to the straight you can see Sam looking for runs, when he elects to take the 5YO mare to the inside, instead of covering extra distance to come around the field on inferior ground. Sam managed to pick a path between runners near the rail and the daring ride paid off as the pair dashed through late to score by a short head. Without a doubt, Sam’s intuition was the winning of this race.

Race 5 Matamata, 15 March

Nigella Lane

Only moderately away from the barriers, Bailey Rogerson took NIGELLA LANE back in the field to get cover. From the 1000m it was apparent they were going to be caught wide, so Bailey elected to take NIGELLA LANE forward in the hope of a softer run. She had worked around the field to settle outside the leader by the 800m mark and turning for home it looked like the mid-race effort had tolled, but NIGELLA LANE was brave and only 2 runners managed to run past her in the straight. With luck in running, a maiden win will be close.

Race 2 Ashburton, 16 March

Iffididit

On debut, he appears to have his quirks. Lee Callaway did his best to get IFFIDIDIT to settle in 4^th in the run, but he continued to over-race. In the straight the winner and hot favourite had shot clear when IFFIDIDIT was forced to change ground before making his run. Once he flattened out late, he was finishing fast with the best last 800, 600m, 400m & 200m splits of the race. Keep an eye on him as he gains more experience at the races as he looks to have plenty of ability.

Race 9 Trentham, 18 March

Lurid

This race had panned out perfectly for Ashvin Goindasamy and LURID. At the 600m mark you looked to be on a winner when LURID was travelling into the race nicely. Unfortunately, the pair weren’t able to find a run and got shuffled back to last by the top of the straight. From there LURID went on to have not one but two gaps close on him in the straight and he still had the audacity to pick himself up again inside the final 100m and finish within 3 lengths of the winner. He is racing very well at the moment and with a touch of luck, can find the winners circle again soon.