- The first day of the spring racing season was on the last day of August and drew a very strong card of 9 races with a 12.3 average field size.
- Strong nor’ west winds resulted in a Heavy track drying to Soft5 and upgraded to Good4 on the day.
- Kelvin Tylers good galloper MASTER MAKO justified the long trip from Riverton to win the TAB Open Mile from locals CHARBANO and DEEP BEAUTY. Apprentice Yogesh Atchamah used his 2kg claim to get the gelding’s weight down to a very competitive 54kg.
- Prior to the days open sprint local training partners Matthew and Michael Pitman appeared to have the dominant hand. And so it proved in the Pryde’s Easifeed sponsored event with talented MYSTIC PARK beating equally talented THIRD DECREE over the 1200 metres. Visiting Matamata jockey Sam Weatherley rode the winner.
- He had also scored for the Pitman’s in the previous race with I AM ROMAN at long odds.
- The Sam Bergerson and Mark Walker Te Akau Racing- South Island team took numerical training honours on the day with three wins all ridden by Wiremu Pinn.
- The first of these was with THE VICTRESS in the Vale Kevin Hickman Three-year-old, a race which honoured the late Kevin Hickman whose funeral was held in the Town Hall on race morning.
- Two heats of the NZTR Pony Scurry Series were held between races under the organisation of the ever effervescent Kirsty Laurence.
IN
Racing
Spring Racing 1st Day Review - 31 August
Riverton visitor Master Mako victorious
September 02, 2024