Glen Massey horsewoman Shelley Wright was rapt to kick off her season on a winning note at Te Rapa on Saturday, courtesy of progressive stayer Endean Ace.

A gelding by Tarzino, Endean Ace had been knocking on the door to break maiden status with two strong efforts over a mile and 2100 metres this campaign, closing a $4.70 second-favourite to Hootie Johnson ($3.50).

Contesting the Waikato Draught 2100, Endean Ace was trapped wide from an outside barrier in the early stages under apprentice Ngakau Hailey, who soon found cover and settled in midfield. Looming into contention turning for home, Endean Ace kept up a strong gallop down the centre of the straight and kicked clear nearing the post, holding out Our Easy Street by 1 ½ lengths.

Wright trains the five-year-old for owner-breeders Andrew Burton and Linda Hunt, who she was pleased to deliver the victory for.

“It was a nice ride, he settled him nicely and it was good to get the win,” Wright said.

“He came from another stable before us, but in those bigger stables, they possibly can’t do the time factor that we can with these kinds of horses. He came out here as well as another one we have for Andrew and Linda, they’re good people.

“He was just a very weak horse and needed time to mature, farm life has really suited him and he’s coming along nicely.

“I think he’ll be a better horse next winter so he’s a long term type, but we’ll have a look around in the meantime. He likes a good cut out of the track so we’ll probably be able to make the most of that right up until about November.”

The win came in 17-year-old Hailey’s first ride for Wright, however the pair have been associated for a long period of time as Hailey learned the early ropes of riding racehorses at her property west of Ngaruawahia.

“Ngakau came out here with a crew of kids and did a bit of work for us over the farm, you could see the potential in him back then as a young fella,” Wright said.

“We know his mother quite well, so it’s a real family association and he’s a lovely kid.

“We haven’t had a lot of horses out racing and we’ve just got a few coming up now, so he rode for us at the trials the other day and I thought he would be well suited to this horse. He rides with a nice long rein and our horses enjoy that style.”

Wright is able to provide her horses with a variety of training between the racecourse and farm environments, a blend that she hopes will prove an effective method heading into the spring period.

“We’ve got about 15 in work, mostly homebred horses and a few outside ones too. They seem to thrive on these sort of conditions,” she said.

“We go into the track every day, but we have facilities out on the farm as well. I’ve got a lovely bunch of riders here and it’s a bit of a mix for the horses, they get to go out to the paddocks during the day and then into the boxes at night.  

“It’s totally different training to what a lot of people can do and I think we’ll start to see some nice results soon.

“We have a nice Redwood coming up called Janka, he’s a nice staying type as well. We also have Endean Affair for Andrew and Linda, she’s a nice mare.”