Gemma Flitz and connections with race sponsors post race
- The second half of August post the Grand National Festival is historically light for horse numbers prior to the spring racing commencing. This year was no exception.
- The ninth day of the Polytrack Racing Season, whilst a Feature Meeting, drew 56 entries in seven races.
- GEMMA FLITZ had starred at the Grand National Festival winning the $100,000 Polytrack Championship. Yaldhurst trainer Ross Beckett targeted the open sprint with his inform mare who made it three wins in succession in the Stable Books & Ardex Supporting NZ Trainers Open 1200. Northern apprentice Amber Riddell used her 2kg claim to reduce the 60kg imposed on the public elect. GEMMA FLIZ now has eight starts on the Polytrack for five wins, two second and a third.
- TUMUCH had finished a nose behind GEMMA FLITZ in the Polytrack Championship and stepped up to 1600 metres in the day’s other open race. In another desperate finish TUMUCH prevailed over STONYBRECK by the barest of margins. Another northern apprentice Jack Taplin rode TUMUCH and claimed 3kg from the geldings 62kg impost. Taplin’s mother Kerry King, a one-time Ross Beckett apprentice, was on course to watch him ride. TUMUCH now has five starts on the Polytrack for four wins and a second placing.
- PROSERVE is another horse fast becoming a Polytrack specialist who took his record to three wins from seven starts and two seconds winning the Rating 75 staying race over 2200 metres.
- The trainer with the most wins on the Riccarton Park Polytrack is Andrew Cartson and he took his total to 42 with THATS CHARMING and SAN MARCO winning the last two races on the programme.