There was no need for protection for The Bodyguard at Riverton yesterday as he picked up his first win from 11 starts.
The 4yr-old son of Painted Black has looked like a stayer in the making and his tough run for 12th at Wingatui last Saturday did not put too many punters off, as he bounded clear to win a 1600m maiden by three lengths.
The gelding was bred by trainer Paul Richards, who shares in the ownership with his wife, Leanne.
''We're thrilled with him and Doni,'' Leanne Richards told Trackside TV.
''He made a nice job of that ride.''
The Bodyguard, who had placed four times prior to yesterday's win, is the second foal out of the Random Chance mare Solo Star to make it to the races for Richards in a breeding role. Anzac Star has won seven of his 20 starts, with his last appearance a win at Oamaru in July last year.
Problem overcome
One horse to the races yesterday for one win might have looked easy for Wingatui trainer Steve Anderton, but Ginty's Choice's win in the rating 75 1600m belied the effort Anderton had to put in behind the scenes.
The Coats Choice mare has suffered from tying-up (or cramping) problems which Anderton told Trackside TV he had been trying to get on top of.
''We just went through a stage where it was a bit frustrating. You've just got to work around it - there's no real known cure for it,'' he saidGinty's Choice gave Toni Direen her second riding win of the day, after she earlier teamed up with Split Decision to win at long odds for Tapanui trainers Nikkie and Barrie Blatch. It was the husband-and-wife team's first training success since Manonthemoon won at Winton in November 2011. The couple now have 32 wins to their name as a training partnership.
First win for Kahlon
Apprentice jockey Taminder Kahlon fought back the tears after her first winning ride, guiding home Sandfly for trainer Sally McKay in the rating 85 1200m. Kahlon was apprenticed to John and Karen Parsons for three years after arriving from India, before coming under the tutelage of McKay. She had seven unplaced rides prior to yesterday's win. Sandfly's win completed a race-to-race double for McKay, who prepared Saperavious to win the 1200m maiden at long odds in the previous event.
