September 17 raceday news
- Even after her strong finish for third over 1000 metres two weeks earlier most punters still predicted STAVOIA would continue on her winning way and have the edge on LA DIOSA, but that was not the case in the days feature the New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes. The Matt and Mandy Brown trained filly upstaged the favourite with another powerful finishing burst with Te Akau filly O’NATURELLE in third place and Riccarton Park trained WHAT CHOUX WANT in third.
- STALKERS ROCK, the pride and joy of Riverton trainer Graham Eade, made it four wins in a row, the last three at Riccarton Park, and an overall record of five wins from seven starts with a commanding win in the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup Trial. Ironically the five-year-old gelding will be freshened for another NZ Cup Meeting target the 1600 metres of the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.
- Former Australian sprinter KINAGAT is on target for the Lindauer Stewards Stakes winning his first start since April in the Pryde’s Easifeed Open 1200. RIDING SHOTGUN finished powerfully for second and PEPPER MILL ran third.
- The Rating 75 1400 metre race was notable for being named in honour of the late great R J (Bob) Skelton one of the greatest jockeys al all time and it was fitting that last seasons top southern rider Terry Moseley saluted the judge. He did so aboard the Brian Court trained COURT ORDER who is fashioning an impressive record with four wins from just six starts.
- Samantha Wynne continued her dynamic start to the 2016/17 season with three wins that sees her lead the NZ jockeys premiership at this early stage.
- Michael and Matthew Pitman trained two winners on the programme – KINAGAT and ENZO’S LAD – as did Terri Rae with BLOODSTREAM and ASPEN LASS.