PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

In A Pickle

The run of In A Pickle in the last race out of Te Rapa on Saturday simply had to be seen to be believed. The Ralph Manning trained galloper was sluggishly away from the barriers and tailing the field early, with this margin only increasing as the field headed into the back straight. At the 1000m mark, In A Pickle and Jasmine Fawcett were giving the leaders around 15-lengths, the pair then started a long-sustained run which saw them hit the lead at the top of the straight. To cap off what had already been an unbelievable effort, In A Pickle powered away from his rivals to secure a 7.8L victory in the testing conditions.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Jonathan Riddell – Swazi

An impressive display of horsemanship saw Swazi and Jonathan Riddell salute at Awapuni Synthetic on Friday, despite the bridle and ear covers becoming displaced for the last 800m of the 1000m contest. Passing the 800m mark, the bridle had noticeably slipped over the ears of Swazi, in turn meaning Riddell had little control over the high-energy Swazi. Although Jonathan Riddell had little control over Swazi, he managed to steer him round the final bend and hold off a late challenge from Perfect Posy.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Ashburton, 6 July

Zacat

Zacat was first-up since March, with the Samantha Wynne trained mare having been last sighted winning at Riccarton. Although the highly respected Watch Out was engaged, Zacat was the subject of very strong backing pre-race, with the mare firming from $8 into $3.60 when the starter let them go. After jumping cleanly, Zacat was shuffled back to the second half of the field, before sustaining a long sprint down the outer, whilst recording the fastest 800m and 600m of the race in doing so. Safe to say Zacat will take plenty of improvement from this effort and be competitive wherever she lines up next.

Te Rapa, 8 July

Justaskme

Justaskme was always going to find the 1200m short of his best on Saturday, as he looked to be off the bit and chasing for the majority of the race. His work over the final 600m was what caught my eye, where he ran two sub-12 second splits for his final two furlongs in the testing conditions. This run was the perfect run to keep Justaskme ticking over as he builds towards a Winter Cup next month.

Awapuni, 8 July

Berry The Cash

Berry The Cash was game in defeat on the flat at Awapuni on Saturday, where he rallied under progressive type Crouch for much of the home straight. Berry The Cash has been very impressive in his two attempts over the hurdles this campaign, with Saturday’s effort suggesting he is one to follow when he looks to head back over the hurdles in the near future.