PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Mr Mojo Risin’

Backers of $2.10 favourite, Mr Mojo Risin’, would not have been all that comfortable for the first 1150m of the 1200m maiden at Avondale on Wednesday. A noted on-speed runner, Mr Mojo Risin’ was very awkwardly away from the inside barrier, leaving him on the fence and 10L off the leaders at the 600m. Only getting clear running down the outside at the 300m, Masa Hashizume balanced the son of Deep Field up, powering to the line to snatch his maiden win.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Courtney Barnes – Zambezi Zipper

A perfectly executed mid-race move saw Zambezi Zipper and Courtney Barnes salute in the first race from Wingatui on Sunday. This isn’t an unusual racing pattern for Zambezi Zipper, with the mare often being put into the race before the final 600m. Not wanting to let the leaders get away with an easy lead, Courtney managed to catch the leaders napping with a sharp midrace move at the 900m, getting to the rail prior to the home bend before drawing away for a 2L victory on the line.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Race 3 Avondale, 25 April

Orchestral

2yo filly by Savabeel who powered home from nowhere to go down a nose to short-priced favourite, Just A Floozie. The clock backed up her barnstorming finish, with Orchestral recording the fastest last 200m of the day in 11.37s, off the back of a 10.97s furlong for her 400m-200m. Just A Floozie and Molly Bloom were also very impressive in the same race, in what could prove to be a great form race moving forward to next season.

Race 1 Te Rapa, 29 April 

The Mighty Spar

Huge run in defeat from The Mighty Spar at Te Rapa on Saturday. He had an economical run three-back on the fence throughout, with apprentice Triston Moodley not going round a horse until the final 200m. The Mighty Spar recorded the fastest closing 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m of the race. This performance on the flat against the R75 stayers bodes extremely well for him heading into his upcoming jumps campaign.

Race 6 Timaru, 27 April

Loquita

On a day where many of the winners were in the first 3-4 runners turning for home, Loquita sustained a long run from the back of the field to finish 2.2L 4^th. Going off her previous performances this preparation, Loquita may be more suited to rain-effected going, which she should be able to find heading into winter. The 200m after the winning post was also encouraging for this daughter of Shocking, a rain-effected mile or further looks well within her reach.