PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Wiremu Pinn & Johnathan Parkes

Wiremu & Johnathan both had remarkable days in the saddle at Awapuni on Saturday, recording 4 winners each, winning 8 of the 9 races on the day between them. Johnathan Parkes brought up his 1000 career wins milestone in great fashion, entering Saturday with 998 wins and winning the first two races on the card. Wiremu Pinn heads across the Tasman with plenty of confidence, having ridden a double at Riccarton Synthetic on Thursday and four winners at Awapuni on Saturday, he is sure to make his mark in Victoria over the coming months.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Sam Spratt – Lady Koval

A late pick up ride turned into a classic front-running ride from Sam Spratt, which saw Lady Koval defy a late challenge from Deep Beauty, as well as a significant drift in the market on the day. Sam made her intentions clear as soon as the barriers opened, putting her foot straight on the accelerator and making light work of barrier 11. Once finding the lead and rail, Spratt slowed the tempo considerably, giving Lady Koval a couple of cheap furlongs down the back. This proved to be the telling factor, as the pair managed to have enough in the locker to fight off Deep Beauty over the latter stages. Just another example of Sam Spratt proving she is one of the best in the business when rating a horse in front.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Race 5 Te Rapa, 20 May 

Secret Amour

The first-up performance by this mare on Saturday had to be seen to be believed. In her first start touting the Makybe Diva silks, Secret Amour was slowly away and barely in picture-shot for much of the 1300m journey. Whilst also being visually brilliant late, Secret Amour recorded the fastest closing 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m of the race. She looks to have come back in fantastic order.

Race 7 Awapuni, 20 May 

West Coast

This was an exceptional flat run from the reigning Grand National Steeplechase winner. Despite being a maiden galloper on the flat, West Coast held his own against the R75 opposition on Saturday, only going down 1.1L to progressive stayer, Lurid. West Coast looked to handle the trying conditions better than most on Saturday, fighting on gamely closer to the rail. This classy jumper looks right on song heading into another jumps campaign, expect he will be hard to beat tackling his next steeplechase event.

Race 8 Awapuni, 20 May

Justaskme

The old boy was right back in his comfort zone in the very heavy conditions at Awapuni on Saturday, putting his rivals away early in the home straight and winning the Happy 90^th Birthday Edith Bull – Rangitikei Cup (Listed). He’s a true mudlark, having placed 2^nd in the G1 Livamol Classic on a Heavy10 last year. Justaskme will only get better has he progresses through this campaign, continue to follow him wherever he finds the Heavy tracks.