Unusual Countess wins the Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes
- The fourth and final day of the Autumn Racing Season concluded with Marton trainer Fraser Auret taking the limelight with the winners of both Listed races on the programme.
- First starter UNUSUAL COUNTESS came south highly recommended on the back of an Otaki trial win and justified that reputation with a narrow victory in in the Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes for the two-year-olds. Local gelding MACKENZIE LAD chased hard in the final stages to just fail to reel in the filly and FIREGLOW was third. Lisa Allpress rode the winner.
- The days other feature was for the sprinters, the Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes. Wiremu Pin combined with Auret on the occasion to partner four-year-old STREAK OF POWER who prevailed over SHE’S A LADY and BELLE FASCINO, the later having her last start prior to retiring to the broodmare paddock.
- Both horse are raced and bred by Auret’s parents Nigel and Adaire and they stand UNUSUAL SUSPECT at their Wanganui Letham Stud.
- Fresh off the back of preparing five winners on their home track on Thursday Riverton trainers Kelvin and daughter Aimee Tyler produced OUR BOY RITCHIE to be a dominant winner of the Angus Meats Great Autumn Handicap over the 2500 metres distance.
- The Ellie Stokes Trust provided a highlight for Palmerston North Apprentice Temyia Taiaroa who rode her first winner at Riccarton Park aboard TELLYAWAHAT for Rangiora trainer John Blackadder. Making the occasion a bit more special was the presence of her grandfather, former jockey, Arnold Taiaroa, who was in town with the Allen Baker team.