The Listed Open Handicap over 1400m was won by the least experienced runner in the field Pepper Mill rather well. Pepper Mill was wide early but crucially got over fourth the outer after 400m and sat there until eased out wide to unleash just before the home turn. The 5yo gelding on the minimum of 53kg strode up at the 300m and then had the race in control at the 100m to score by threequarters of a length in 1:22.83. It was his fifth win in just eleven starts and 1400m seems his favourite trip with seven runs for four wins and two seconds. Overtheriver ran a game second under 59kg after sitting second the outer and kept trying hard but could not give the winner 6kg and overhaul him when it went past at the 300m. Seize The Moment got run over again as a hot favourite and is proving a money-muncher for bettors and a boon for bookmakers. He had every chance setting the pace and fought well once headed under 58kg. Toma Valea fought on for fourth after getting a soft run on the fence fifth while El Chico the rising 12yo ran on okay for fifth at what was his one hundred and thirty-fourth start. Diamond Edge ran on the fence from last for sixth while Tommy Tucker was back and wide then got a second wind the final 100m to finish seventh. Forgive the clear last finisher Five Kings as slow away as usual then sent up very deep midrace so had to weaken. Pepper Mill has been lightly tried for a rising 6yo but has more success ahead as so honest and has tactical speed plus that fighting spirit. The winning time was reasonable but needs to be put into perspective as the race that followed this, a Benchmark 75 (two or more grades inferior) saw the winner clock 1:22.07 (four and a half lengths superior).
Previous Winners
| Date | Horse | Jockey | WT | Trainer | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
SUCRE
(NZ)
6M ISHIGURU (USA) - CARRIE (NZ) DANASINGA (AUS) |
D G BRADLEY | 57.0 | SEAN BELLEW | 7 |
|
|
SCAPOLO
(NZ)
4G BACHELOR DUKE (USA) - KADESA (NZ) ZAFONIC (USA) |
DAVID WALKER | 57.5 | KEVIN MYERS | 7 |
|
|
KEKOVA
(NZ)
5M ELUSIVE CITY (USA) - RACING WATERS (NZ) RACING IS FUN (USA) |
L J ALLPRESS | 53.0 | DAVID HAWORTH & MATT DIXON | 5 |
|
|
HILL OF GOLD
(AUS)
6G EXCEED AND EXCEL (AUS) - QUEEN OF THE BLUES (USA) CURE THE BLUES (USA) |
L G INNES | 54.5 | MICHAEL PITMAN | 9 |
|
|
ROYAL FLIGHT
(NZ)
6M DANZIGHILL (AUS) - CAPITAL FLIGHT (NZ) NOBLE BIJOU (USA) |
M H MISBAH | 55.5 | BRIAN & SHANE ANDERTON | 6 |
|
|
EL CHICO
(NZ)
6G STRAVINSKY (USA) - LAS CHICAS BUENAS (NZ) CLASSIC FAME (USA) |
L J ALLPRESS | 57.0 | MICHAEL PITMAN | 9 |
|
|
EL SANTO
(NZ)
7G MY HALO (ARG) - HUFF PUFF (NZ) MALAK EL HAWA (IRE) |
L J ALLPRESS | 53.5 | SOPHIE HARGREAVES | 9 |
|
|
STUPENDOUS
(NZ)
5G PENTIRE (GB) - FLYING CATALINA (NZ) PRE CATELAN (AUS) |
KELLY MC CULLOCH | 55.0 | KEVIN MYERS | 5 |
|
|
DEL TORO
(NZ)
8G DEPUTY GOVERNOR (USA) - PHANTOM'S LADY (NZ) SIR TRISTRAM (IRE) |
D M WALSH | 53.5 | JIM CAMPIN & MARK FRASER-CAMPIN | 3 |
|
|
FLIGHT POINT
(NZ)
6G PINS (AUS) - FLIGHT TO FORTUNE (NZ) RANDOM CHANCE (NZ) |
O P BOSSON | 56.5 | BRIAN & SHANE ANDERTON | 3 |
|
|
SAND SWEEPER
(NZ)
6G SANDTRAP (USA) - CALM AS (NZ) CONQUISTAROSE (USA) |
C W JOHNSON | 58.0 | H ANDERTON | 6 |
|
|
FISCAL MADNESS
(NZ)
4G VOLKSRAAD (GB) - BELLE NUITE (NZ) BALMERINO (NZ) |
J S BULLARD | 56.0 | 2 |
