Performance of the Week – Sam Spratt (Tauranga Treble)

In-form senior hoop Sam Spratt went to Tauranga on Saturday with a solid book of rides and certainly made the most of her chances. An easy watch aboard Grande Gallo saw her rack up her first winner for the day. She then partnered the locally trained Kiva Han to another seamless win, rolling forward early and kicking hard in to the straight the pair never looked like being headed. She saved her best work for last, aboard Cindy Falls in the final event of the day. Stepping away slowly Sam rode patiently and saved ground in to the straight to score a narrow win and make it three for the day.

Blackbooker – Times Up

Jumping from the outside gate, there was always going to be an element of luck required to get into a nice spot in the run for Ciel Butler. Unfortunately, this never eventuated, and the pair were posted wide throughout the race. Times Up and Ciel Butler made what looked like it could still have been a winning run in to the straight, despite the big effort early in the race, but it was Donnybrook who set sail down the outside to wind them in. The tough effort tolling late in the race as Times Up began to slow, but he was brave and fought hard to finish second. That is back to back runs with no luck for the horse now, keep an eye on him as he is not far from a well deserved win.

Easy Watch – Leica Song

Talk about an easy watch for those who were on the Dan O’Leary trained mare. From gate 1 Jonathan Parkes got her away positively and from there they were never headed. Jonathan controlled the tempo off the front and got Leica Song wound up in to the straight where they had made an unsalable break on the field. From then on it was just a matter of smiling for the photo and getting in the queue for the punters who got the $9.70 starting price.

Market Mover – This Little Light

It was a long-awaited return to racing at Te Arhoa, delayed further with treacherous conditions to boot. With rain around, it was unsurprising to see a number of scratchings and the Michael Rogers team were able to capitalize on that. A classic Sam Spratt front running domination saw the 6YO mare lead throughout. Granted there would have been deductions with the scratchings, but punters were certainly rewarded here with This Little Light going from the $13 opening price in to $4.20 at the jump.

Flashing Light – Loch In Ora

While it was an easy watch (see above) for race winner Leica Song, Loch In Ora wasn’t as lucky. Allan Sharrock’s mare was crowded leaving the barriers and thus gave ground to settle at the tail of the field. The leader controlled the race and went at a moderate tempo, so Matthew Cameron was forced to make a long sweeping run early with the pair taking off at the 600m mark. Wide in to the straight and spotting the leader a big margin, winning was always unachievable but Loch In Ora chased bravely and I think with some luck next start, if she reproduces her sectional brilliance, she will be scoring a maiden win.