Michael and Matthew Pitman’s outstanding carnival continued on Saturday at Riccarton Park, with handy sprinter Zoulander pulling off a tough victory in the Bush Inn Tavern Open Sprint (1200m). 

The local father-son training partnership collected a myriad of victories and placings through Riccarton Park’s autumn season, and snatched a further four at the final meeting with Star Ballot, Motiontime, Ocean Light and the seasoned son of Zoustar saluting.

Zoulander recorded his last success in late February over the course and distance beating subsequent stakes-winner Our Echo, but was among the lesser-rated gallopers in Saturday’s contest sitting a $10.80 chance.

In-form race favourites Sassy Merlot ($2.60) and Spartan ($3.10) headed the field as joint-pace makers from the jump, with jockey Kylie Williams hugging the rail aboard Zoulander midfield.

As the pressure came on, Spartan led for majority of the long Riccarton straight and continued to fight hard after Zoulander drew level at the 100m,  but the Pitman’s charge stuck his neck out and got the victory by a long head, with stablemate Benaud running into third.

Southern-based hoop Williams has partnered Zoulander on seven occasions for two victories and two minor placings, and showed clear fondness for the six-year-old post-race.

“He’s like your best friend, he’d give you the shirt off his back and he tries all the time,” she said.

“Ideally, I didn’t want to be amongst them because he’s not that brave, but today he fought really hard and pushed his way out.

“I travelled up quite nicely and so did Amberecho, so I just needed a bit of a gap and he’s come to that horse (Spartan) quite easily. He really wanted to win today.”

Zoulander was bred by Gerry Harvey, and was originally purchased by Rogerson Bloodstock for $240,000 at the 2019 National Yearling Sale at Karaka.

The six-year-old commenced his career with Team Rogerson, and Graeme Rogerson remained in the ownership when he was transferred to the Pitman’s base in mid-2022, accumulating $149,527 in stakes in total.

Progressive sprinter Motiontime continued her affinity with the chute with a second victory at the course under Kavish Chowdhoory, defying her 30/1 odds in the Rating 75 1200m contest.

In the final event of the day, Ocean Light was marked higher in the betting at $5.70, and delivered in style with a scorching outside run to claim the Pitman’s fourth win under Lisa Allpress, who also snatched a hattrick in her southern mission.