RIDING PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Craig Grylls

Craig Grylls proved a force to be reckoned with at Pukekohe on Saturday, steering home 4 winners on the 9-race card. Grylls’ day got off to a hot start, where he lifted home Mercurial to out-finish the well supported favourite, Bonny Lass. He went back-to-back in Race 2, with Mosinvader capitalising on an ideal trailing run throughout. Craig Grylls then proceeded to ride two further winners, both for the Lance Noble/Cambridge Stud outfit, with progressive mares Terra Mitica and Flamebird.

Smart Debut

Valorious

Valorious was well backed and delivered accordingly as favourite in Race 1 at Riccarton Synthetic on Friday. The 3yo son of Heroic Valour was taken straight to the front by Warren Kennedy, electing to hold the lead and rail despite the mid-race pressure. Valorious kicked hard on the bend, leaving his rivals in his wake as he coasted away for a comfortable 1.5L victory on the line.

Gap Job

Manifique

Manafique was simply brilliant in winning at Trentham on Saturday. Under a very confident ride from Michael McNab, Manafique sidled up to her opponents and put them away in a few strides and powered away for an 8.3L win. The Peter Didham trained mare looks to have gone to another level this season, and while she is only rated 81, she is definitely one to consider in upcoming feature races such as the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup on New Year’s Day.

Futures Follow

Orchestral

Asides from being beaten a nose margin in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes on Saturday, the resuming run of Orchestral could not have been any more pleasing for trainers Roger James & Robert Wellwood. After settling back off a moderate tempo, Orchestral unleashed a sustained closing sprint, coming home in a last 600m of 32.87s. Orchestral holds nominations for both the NZ Oaks & NZ Derby, either of which could be her main target this Autumn.

Flashing Light

Francee

Francee motored late to only come up a ½ head short when finishing 2^nd in Race 9 at Rotorua on Sunday. After settling in the back half of the field from the wide gate, Francee and Vinnie Colgan were forced to weave their way through the field down the home straight. Being held up for a run and proving a slightly awkward ride for Colgan, Francee balanced up late and flew home over the final 100m. She looks to be a horse who you can follow through her campaign, especially as she gets out over 1400m and maybe even further.