Racing: Timaru Cup on agenda for Wingatui winner

Final Touch, a resounding winner of the $45,000 Berkley Stud Stakes, the feature sprint at Wingatui yesterday, is set to back up in the Timaru Cup tomorrow.

"Providing she comes through the race OK, she will go to Timaru," John Parsons, the co-trainer of Final Touch, said.

Kylie Williams, who rode Final Touch yesterday, had already confirmed the engagement for the Timaru Cup, ahead of Chaparella, whom she has ridden in three wins from four starts this season.

Final Touch was at the rear of the field until the 400m in the 1200m race yesterday, then charged home to win by two and three-quarter lengths. The Kashani mare raced by Karen Parsons, the co-trainer, is stepping up to 1600m at Washdyke.

Williams has won the Timaru Cup on Pins 'N' Needles (2006), Sapphire Belle (2005) and Aubwin (2000).

Pins 'N' Needles was trained by John and Karen Parsons, who have also won the Timaru Cup with Coup Morgan (2004), Portofino Bay (2003) and Diablo Girl (1995).

Williams rode three other winners yesterday - Locket, Ric O'Shea and Semper Plus.

Locket and Semper Plus are both trained by John and Karen Parsons.

The filly Semper Plus finished boldly from eighth in the running to win the Guineas Prelude (1400m). Semper Plus is raced by 85-year-old Dick Molyneux, who made the trip from Christchurch to see her race. He won a race at Wingatui 51 years ago with Roman Maid, who won the 1960 Easter Handicap at Riccarton. Molyneux had his first win as an owner with the pacer El Supremo at Ashburton in 1950.

The day had started badly for the Parsons stable when Alpine Heights was scratched at the barrier due to slight lameness in a foreleg.

• Trainer Steven Prince said he would set Ric O'Shea for the White Robe Lodge Handicap at Wingatui in February after the 4yr-old recorded his third win in four starts this season. Prince won the White Robe with Volronamo in 2004.

• Deakes, winner of the 2yr-old race at Wingatui yesterday will head back to the Matamata stable of Jon Sargent for the Karaka Million at the end of January.

"He was in here today to qualify for the Karaka Million and he has done the job," said Andrew Carston, foreman for the Riccarton branch of the Sargent stable. Deakes has now earned $7450 in stakes.

The Australian-bred gelding by Shaft finished second in his other start at Riccarton. David Walsh sent Deakes clear early and he won untested by two and three-quarter lengths.