PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Mark Oulaghan - West Coast & Berry The Cash

A trainer who will go down as one of New Zealand’s best to present jumpers to the races, Mark Oulaghan had a Grand National day to remember. With Berry The Cash racking up Mark’s 5th Grand National Hurdle win and West Coast going back-to-back in the Grand National Steeplechase, marking the 8th success in the prestigious event for his trainer. It’s fair to say that Mark is a master of his trade and has a Grand National record that is untouchable.

SMALL STABLES

It was a week to remember for the smaller stables at both Riccarton on Wednesday and Awapuni on Friday. Wednesday saw wins for Virginia Mackle with Luscious Lover, one of 2 horses she has in training (the other running 2nd in Race 6 the same day). A first training success for Bruce Sarginson with Cruise in Race 3, one of 3 he has in work. While Northern visitor Les Collins scored with Dear Oh Dear in the 9th event, one of his 3 horses in training. The run continued at Awapuni as Howie Mathews trained the quinella in Race 5 with Weneedashock and Free Spirit, two of his 3 horses in training and finally Malcolm Hill wasn’t to be outdone when Guessing Game won the last, the horse being one of his 4 in training.

HORSE TO FOLLOW

Casino Princess

While she may have been a beaten favourite on Saturday, Casino Princess showed she is indeed a quality horse with a bright future. Having her first start since May, she was always going to take some improvement from this race. She was also a touch slow away and in to stride and from there she had to sustain a run around the field. She has only gone down 0.4 lengths from the winner and given her meteoric rise through the grades, I suggest sticking to the Casino Princess ship as it looks like Cliff Goss has yet another exciting galloper.

RUNNING HOT

Warren Kennedy

It may be a new racing season, but Warren Kennedy is up to the same old stuff. With a solid book of rides on Saturday at Te Rapa, Warren made the most of his opportunities winning four races from his seven rides. With wins aboard Penurious, Antrim Coast, Winexpress & Jodelin Gal he has once again reminded punters of his quality and experience in the saddle. The 4 wins on Saturday saw Warren leapfrog to the top of the NZ Jockey's Premiership alongside Joe Doyle and Tina Comignahi, and with what we know of Warren, expect to see him remain there for some time to come.

MARKET MOVER

Captain Oumuamua

A flashing light run on Day 1 of the carnival from Captain Oumuamua would have had his supporters beaming from ear to ear when he opened at $18 for Saturday’s contest. From there, it was unsurprising to see him well supported and that price tumble in to $8.30 upon jumping. The in-form Joe Doyle managed to pick a path through the field, and it was just a matter of keeping the gallop up to the line and getting in the queue to get paid for those savvy punters. A satisfying result for those early betters.