Tiptronic puts nose in front
WELLINGTON: A nailbiting finish to the Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa was settled in favour of last year’s runnerup, Tiptronic, when he stuck his nose in front at just the right time to down a gallant True Enough in the day’s $400,000 weightforage feature over 2000m on Saturday.
With South Island raider Camino Rocoso setting a breakneck speed in front, it was left to True Enough and Tiptronic to drag the field up to the tearaway who still led by six lengths approaching the home turn.
The pair went to war shortly after straightening as they quickly collared the pacemaker with no more than a neck between them over the final 350m.
Just as True Enough put his head in front, Tiptronic fought back for rider Jason Waddell to get the deciding stride in for his first group 1 victory and sixth career win from 30 starts.
Trainer Graham Richardson said the 6yrold gelding deserved the win..
“He’s always been the underdog so it’s a perfect result.
“Actually, I thought he had run second again but it was a great ride by Jason as he worked it out.’’
The Roger James and Robert Wellwoodtrained Two Illicit announced herself as a serious New Zealand Derby contender when she blew her rivals off the track.
The ultraconsistent Jimmy Choux filly elected to take on the boys alongside potential Derby rival Travelling Light in the Waikato Guineas over 2000m and she gave them all a lesson as she streaked clear to win the 3yrold feature by 71⁄2 lengths.
“I think we saw something a bit special,” emotional cotrainer Roger James said.
A pictureperfect ride from Waddell allowed class act Jennifer Eccles to show her undoubted quality as she dashed away from her agegroup rivals to win the group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic over 2000m.