3 minute read
Callan Suvaljko’s team has been firing from all cylinders in recent weeks, and this one was no different, with York Cup winner Ardens Horizon NZ going on to win at Gloucester Park on Friday night ahead of WA sensation Magnificent Storm NZ.
After starting from the front-line handicap in the standing start over the 2503m, the consistent four-year-old began well and after surrendering the lead soon after the start, the pair later went on to win by 1.4m in 1:58:9.
Magnificent Storm NZ was nothing short of magnificent, coming off the 60m handicap, going down very narrowly in the finish.
Saturday night at Narrogin the winning feeling continued for Suvaljko, with Skippys Delight NZ leading all the way in race four to take a narrow win over Icanbolt on the line. Starting off the frontline handicap over the 2636m trip, Skippys Delight stepped cleanly, and went on to win by a head on the line in 2:01:7 over the 2636m staying trip at Narrogin.
Skippys Delights record is impeccable, with the six-year-old not finishing any further back than fifth since January 2022, and although prior to Saturday night he hadn't won since September 2022, he has earned connections $19,359 in just 17 starts, which included a five-month hiatus from the track between December and May.
Im Rockin Rod returned last week after an almost six-month stint on the sidelines, and on Saturday the $2.35 favourite was able to lead all the way in the first on the card. Trained by Wayne Justins and driven by son Jack Justins, the once troublesome four-year-old brought up win number two at start 20.
Rock Artist made the move to WA and at just his second start for the new stable, he was able to lead all the way in race two for trainer/driver Chris Voak, with punters confident the three-year-old could get the job done at $1.01 odds.
Favourite punters continued to rejoice, with Idealingold NZ getting the win in the third for David Hunter and Kyle Harper. Leading all the way from barrier one, the five-year-old brought up his third win from just seven starts since making the move west, claiming a 2.3m win in 1:59:3 over the 1823m trip.
After recovering from his third tendon injury, Our Trump Card returned with a win in race five on the card after almost 15 months on the sidelines.
"the most recent tendon tear was reasonably minor, all be it still torn, but that's why he was able to make it back to the races in only 12 months." Hayter said.
In a thrilling finish to the line, Brookland Boy came out on top in race six for trainer/driver Bill Hayes, breaking through for his maiden win at the grand age of six, it was start 25 that proved fruitful for the pair, with Brookland Boy settling behind the leader over the 2242m trip, Hayes was off the fence with just over a lap to go, claiming the narrow victory in race six in 2:05:4.
Three-year-old Flying To Win took out the last on the card for trainer Bob Mellsop, with Deni Roberts leading all the way from barrier three. Coming out on top over the race favourite in Our Lililou, Roberts and Flying To Win were able to withstand a short tussle for the front, going on to win by 3.3m in a winning mile rate of 2:02:2 over the 2242m journey.
