Kendra Bakker and Lance Robinson celebrate the win of Bella Luce
- The Amberley Committee’s raceday was held in mixed conditions. Overcast, cold, fine and drizzle at times. Heavy10 was the going after significant rain in the fortnight leading into the meeting.
- Raw emotion was evident on the face of apprentice Kendra Bakker after WAIHORA MIST stormed home from last to get up be a head in the day’s opener. Kendra was recording her first winner after a lengthy layoff due to a serious leg injury. WAIHORA MIST was trained by Kendra’s employer Lance Robinson.
- Her hard work and long road back were further rewarded with win number two aboard BELLA LUCE, also trained by Lance Robinson, in race 6 the Drug Alcohol Testing Specialist Rating 75. For good measure Robinson took out the last of the eight-race programme with HIGHLAND FLING. HIGHLAND FLING was ridden by visiting northern apprentice Liam Kauri and is part owner by Canterbury Jockey Club Board member Nigel Johnston.
- Kauri also took out the days feature event the Greenwood Amberley Cup with topweight CONOR O’CEIRIN who scored his tenth win from 45 starts when too good for ALBATROSS and HE’S TUNZA GRUNT. Local trainer Anna Furlong prepares the eight-year-old for Wanganui based West Coaster Wayne Keenan.
- The Bain McCall Memorial for the two-year-olds is a race supported by a touring party of the family of the late Southlander who come to Riccarton Park each year to remember Bain. Dominant favourite COOL AZA RENE was expected to deliver his fourth win in just five start and did so but only narrowly. The apprentice claim no doubt helped with the filly carrying 1.5kg less than the runner up EL VAQUERO.
- The days other open race the SVS sponsored 2000 metres handicap was ably taken out by TAIMATE DIVA for the Hickman Family of Marlborough. Andrew Carston trained the handy stayer who was backing up from a second placing at Oamaru on Sunday.