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Another stakes contender for Hennessy; Tarabeebee too good at New Plymouth
Another stakes contender for Hennessy
Trainer Gary Hennessy has his sights set on another stakes winner in his Matamata team.
With the retirement of triple Group Two winner Ocean Emperor, Hennessy’s focus is now on promising young horses, though it is one of the older stagers, Temple Tiger, whom he hopes will give him his next black-type success.
The seven-year-old Temple Tiger is being set for the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth next month after recovering from a setback since his fourth at Rotorua last month.
‘’He’s had a bad hoof abscess, but he’s come right,’’ Hennessy said. ‘’He’ll run at Tauranga (on June 22) then go for the Opunake Cup. He’s very genuine and handles most going.’’
Temple Tiger is a son of Tiger Prawn and has won six times and been placed on a further 19 occasions from 41 starts.
Youngsters in Hennessy’s ownership include an Ocean Park half-brother to Brutal, winner of the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick in April.
“He’ll be two next season and I’m excited about him,’’ Hennessy said. “I’ve also got a brother to Ocean Ruler, who I sent over to Paul Jenkins on the Sunshine Coast and he won first-up at Ipswich.’’
Tarabeebee too good at New Plymouth
The Ian Adams-trained Tarabeebee was sent out a $2.40 favourite in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) at New Plymouth on Thursday, and proved too strong for her opposition.
Ridden by local apprentice Hazel Schofer, Tarabeebee was eased back to sit off the pace after jumping from barrier six, before she was sent forward at the 700m mark.
Turning for home Schofer elected to navigate Tarabeebee towards the rail from her wide position, which proved to be the winning of the race for the three-year-old filly who was able to gather in Beckidboo to win by a length, with a further 8-3/4 lengths back to Rare Breed in third.
Adams was pleased with Schofer’s ride and he believes Tarabeebee will develop into a nice four-year-old next season.
“She rode her quite well,” he said. “I thought she was going to go out, but then realised she wasn’t going to get a run out wide, so she eased back to the inside, it was a good ride.
“She is going to be alright. As a four-year-old mare next year she is going to be quite handy, she is still maturing. It’s good to get a win with them early on anyway.”
With her victory, Tarabeebee collected the Pearl Series Level B bonus of $11,500 for her connections.
Adams and Schofer teamed up again two races later to win the Stable Books Pike Racing Maiden 1600m with Aratoka.
The three-year-old daughter of Road to Rock distanced her rivals to score her maiden victory by nine lengths.
