A firm track at Oamaru yesterday proved to be just what several horses were looking for.
The thoroughbred track at Oamaru racecourse has earned a reputation over the years for providing a welcome respite from heavy and wet racetracks during late autumn and winter in the South Island.
That reputation appeared justified yesterday, as caretaker Greg Stuart produced a good3 surface. Winners came from on the rail and further out on the track, and a smart time of 1.10.05 in the rating 65 1200m was further proof the surface was in fine fettle.
Cavatino handled the firm track with aplomb in winning the 2200m maiden, although his Riccarton trainer, Danny Crozier, would have been even more confident with the son of Towkay if the track had been slightly softer.
''He's a bit more effective with a bit of give in the ground,'' he said.
''That was the only worry. I thought he would be a near special today if it came up at least a dead5.
''We'll have a lot of fun with him over the winter when the tracks get wet as the Towkays are known as wet trackers. But to kick like that off the top of the ground is good for the winter.''
Yesterday was Cavatino's first look at a staying trip, but Crozier said his future lay over the longer distances.
''That's his first trip over 2200m but the blinkers definitely helped him,'' he said. ''He's been half-pie switching off, but he took up a position today and was pretty dominant.''
Crozier's jumper, Needastar, is in fine fettle after a win at Riverton on April 30, and is being aimed for the Otago Hurdles on May 31''He's bounced back and pulled up well; he's flying at the moment.''
Come Fly With Me was dominant two races later in the second of two rating 65 2200m races, which was a minor surprise, considering how little she had done since winning a month earlier at Oamaru.
''Only had the one gallop in four weeks away from here,'' her Riverton trainer, Stephen Blair-Edie, said.
''She loves this track. We'll be back for Waimate [on June 7].''
Flash Hapi was having his first look at Oamaru yesterday, but he seems to be a fan like Come Fly With Me.
The Kenny and Lisa Rae-trained gelding has seen plenty of New Zealand on a horse float, having raced across the North Island and throughout the South, but one thing he has lacked recently is a win.
In fact, it had been almost three years since he came back first to the birdcage, his most recent victory coming at Ellerslie on May 26, 2012.
Matthew Cameron was on board that day at Ellerslie, and the pair combined again yesterday for the first time since July 2013, beating King Prawn and Ishipal in a tight finish.
''He's an honest, versatile horse. He's more of a family pet than anything,'' Rae said.
