PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Accidental Tourist

The betting market had Accidental Tourist the second-to-outsider in what was a strong 3yo SW&P contest last Friday at Awapuni. His race looked all but over moments after the jump when the 3yo son of Telperion stood flat-footed losing 5L at the start – at this point, backers of Accidental Tourist couldn’t be blamed for tearing up their tickets. With a no panic ride from Michael McNab, Accidental Tourist tacked on to the main peloton, before launching down the outer and claiming victory.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Masa Hashizume – Roccia

It was Masa’s 2^nd win after only two races at Te Rapa on Saturday, having already steered home Wordsworth to victory in the first. After only jumping moderately from barrier 13, Masa Hashizume completed task number one by slotting Roccia in one-off the rail from the wide gate. From there, he drove underneath runners to find the back of favoured runner and subsequent runner-up, Kiwi Man. Despite runners making early moves leaving the back straight, Masa elected to stay on the back of Kiwi Man, who gifted Masa and Roccia the perfect drag into the home straight, eventually going on by this runner over the latter stages.

Special Mention - Jessica Allen

At only her 2^nd career race-day ride, Jessica Allen produced a heady ride to steer Aotea Lad home to victory with a patient, well-timed ride at Te Rapa on Saturday. Jessica followed Winning For All throughout, before peeling off this runner’s heels turning in, before punching him home predominantly under hands and heels down the home straight.

Race 3 Te Rapa, 15 April

Glamour Tycoon   

I thought this was a very respectable performance from this 2yo Written Tycoon filly on debut, who was up against a couple of race winners, as well as many others who had race-day experience. Glamour Tycoon was unlucky not to win the race, having to change course and shift off the heels of race winner, Viva Vienna, before balancing up late and posting the fastest closing 400m and 200m of the race. Expecting this filly to be very hard to beat wherever she lines up next.

Race 6 Hastings, 15 April

Nod Of The Head

I really like the way Nod Of The Head has come back this preparation. He’s now put up two more than respectable performances this Autumn since resuming from a spell. He was pretty stiff not to win on Saturday, behind Pure Incanto, where he produced some incredible closing sectionals despite being held up entering the final 150m. The way this horse is trending, he should be competitive wherever he lines up next if he can find reasonable footing.

Race 8 Riccarton, 15 April 

Times Ticking

After Saturday, Times Ticking has continued to build an impressive record, winning 9 of 28 overall, and 6 of 10 on Heavy tracks. Despite being a 7yo gelding, he still has plenty of quirks, where he has recently shown a tendency to lay in under pressure down the straight – as he did on Saturday. His wet track form is outstanding, with the last horse to beat him on a Heavy deck being highly talented mare, Darci La Bella. I expect the coming months of winter racing to be right up his alley, as he seems completely unfazed by the conditions underfoot.