PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK 

Arby

With the wide barrier, Sam Weatherley elected to take the son of Proisir back in the big field. He managed to get him to relax beautifully, until the 800m mark, where he started to inch closer. When presented, he was the widest runner in the straight where he was able to rattle off fast closing sectionals. He had to overcome a wide draw and a tough run, but he proved he was the best horse in the race with a strong staying performance.

 

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Craig Grylls – Tavattack

With Tavattacks ‘get back’ racing pattern, he was always going to need luck late in the race to score against the big field. It turns out that luck came in the form of a patient and intelligent Craig Grylls ride. On the point of the corner, you can see Craig biding his time near the rear of the field as he realises there is no way Tavattack can win if he goes searching for a wide sweeping run. With some cut in the track and a decent early tempo, the opportunity to duck up the rail was evolving nicely for Craig Grylls. He was able to save Tavattack for one last run at them and it proved to be the winning of the race.

Race 4 Matamata, 29 March

Swerve

From his wide gate, he was stuck 3 deep with no cover throughout. When entering the straight, Vinnie Colgan presented him with a strong challenge down the outside, but he just wasn’t able to peg back the two leading horses who had managed much softer runs in transit, near the rail. Despite the wide, tough run, he was still able to produce the fastest final 200m sectional of the field, finishing just 1.1 lengths from the winner. With even luck in the running, Swerve will be winning his maiden soon.

Race 2 Awapuni, 1 April

Margherita Veloce

Sent out the second favourite in the market, she got back in the field and needed some luck entering the straight. Craig Grylls had to navigate around tiring horses on the corner and then proceeded to try and launch a run between horses down the straight. She was held up for a hand full of strides on the corner and still managed the fastest closing 400m & 200m sectionals of the race, going down just a Short Head margin. The winner was able to present out wide and build momentum slightly earlier and with a switch in runs, I think Margherita Veloce manages to overturn the result.

Race 6 Avondale, 1 April

Poser

First up on a deteriorating track over 1600m looked a big task for the 5YO Ocean Park mare. She was caught 3-wide briefly early so Lynsey Satherley sent her forward to sit outside the leader. She was extremely brave and fought hard until she was collared inside the last 200m and managed to finish a solid 3^rd. Look out for her next start as she will have fitness on her side, and we will likely see her step up over a staying trip.