PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Kylie Williams

Kylie Williams had a stellar day in the saddle on Saturday, which warranted the performance of the week for mine. From 8 rides on the day, Kylie saluted the judge 4 times - which included victory in the Listed NZB Warstep stakes aboard She’s A Con. To go along with this quartet of winning rides, Williams also had two minor placings, one of which was aboard Lightning Jack in the other feature race of the day in the Group 3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Krishna Mudhoo – Prince Alby

I thought this was an absolute peach of a ride from Krishna Mudhoo aboard progressive stayer Prince Alby. From the moment the gates opened, Krishna restrained his mount back to last early in an effort to get him settled and in a rhythm given they had 2600m ahead of them. Despite being back last and the race only being run at a dawdle, Mudhoo didn’t panic, still allowing Prince Alby to coast along at the back of the pack. Rounding the final bend, Krishna Mudhoo and Prince Alby started a wide searching run, deliberately steering a course to the middle of the track whilst the remainder of the field had stayed near the fence on the Heavy10 surface. Krishna’s decision to use the middle of the track set the trend for the day, with riders steering clear of the inside lanes from Race 2 onwards.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Race 2 Matamata,19 April

English Gambler

Highly talented jumper, English Gambler, made it a winning resumption on the flat in a high-weight contest at Matamata on Wednesday. Allowed to bowl out in front by Dean Parker, English Gambler galloped his rivals into submission – despite being off the scene since June 2022. He looks to have a big season over the jumps ahead of him, especially when the tracks are on the better side of a Heavy8.

Race 4 Pukekohe, 22 April

Kingfisher

Safe to say this horse has found his preferred going after bolting in by 5.5L in the bottomless conditions at Pukekohe on Saturday. Not only did he run away from his opposition in the R65 over 1200m, but he also ran the fastest last 400m of the day (25.64s) in doing so. I expect this 3yo son of Savabeel to relish the winter racing ahead, he’s one to follow over the next few months when he finds similar conditions to what we saw on Saturday.

Race 2 Awapuni, 23 April

Lurid

Lurid finally paid his believers, whose patience would have been wearing thin as the talented stayer was winless since May 2022. He put up a dominant display on Sunday, leaving his opposition in his wake when coasting to the line for a 13L victory. Being perfectly rated in front by Wiremu Pinn, Lurid looked right in his element, powering through the Heavy10 conditions. This confidence-boosting win may be all Lurid needs to now prove himself a force to be reckoned with over the winter ahead.