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Gumpert scores at Matamata; Hat-trick for Sansom; Colic claims Mighty Boss
Gumpert scores at Matamata
Two-year-old filly Gumpert was able to clear maiden company at the second time of asking at Matamata on Wednesday, winning The Meat Co, Robow's, Two Tones 1200 by 3-1/2 lengths.
She finished eighth on debut at Counties last month and trainer Trevor Da Cruz said a slight gear change has helped his filly.
"I was quite happy with how she raced today," he said.
"Unfortunately in her first start I encountered a little issue. After watching the replay of her first race I noticed that she hung in a bit. After that I went back to the drawing board and we made a slight gear change and did a little bit of work on her body.
"We got the result today. This is what she was supposed to do in her first race, so I am glad she ran to form today."
Da Cruz was pleased with the win and is looking forward to the future with the daughter of Roc De Cambes.
"She is bred to stay a bit, so it's quite handy that she has got speed," he said.
"I will discuss it with her owner, Mr Kwok, and we will make a plan. I think at the moment we will run her through her grades and slowly step her up in trip and see how she handles it."
Hat-trick for Sansom
New Zealand-bred galloper Sansom made it three wins in a row at Sandown on Wednesday when victorious over 1300m.
The son of Charm Spirit jumped away well from gate six to take the early lead for jockey Ben Allen where he was able to dictate terms throughout and go on to win by nearly two lengths.
"It wasn't how I really mapped out the race, I would have liked to have had something to follow, but he was the first one out of the gate, so I thought I may as well take up the lead while he could," Allen said.
"He relaxed beautifully and each time he is stepping out he is improving. It's quite noticeable in his racing."
Trainer Phillip Stokes was pleased with the victory and said Sansom is starting to develop into a nice racehorse.
"We have had to do a lot of work with him. He had been doing things upside down," he said.
"We have been trying to really restrain him, but you just have to let him go out and get his rhythm and he seems happy.
"The track conditions didn't worry him and he put paid to them well.
"I'm in two minds now. I was going to tip him out, I still might, and just see if he can go to something a little bit better down the track."
Colic claims Mighty Boss
Group One winner Mighty Boss has died after a bout of colic.
The Mick Price-trained entire won two of his 17 career starts, including the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
"Terribly sad for Mr Yaseen and everyone at the stable to lose Mighty Boss to colic," Price said on Twitter.
"(He was) a magnificent colt with most unique personality - he will be sorely missed."
The son of Not A Single Doubt was purchased by his trainer out of Curraghmore's 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft for $180,000.
True Excelsior to resume at Caulfield
True Excelsior is scheduled to make her return on Bletchingly Stakes day at Caulfield but co-trainer Troy Corstens plans to kick off the stakes-placed mare's campaign in a race against her own sex rather than in the feature event.
Rising five-year-old True Excelsior is nominated for Saturday's Gr.3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) but Corstens said the mare will resume in the 1100m handicap for fillies and mares on the same program with a view to stepping back up to stakes level at her next start on the straight course at Flemington.
True Excelsior campaigned in New Zealand during the summer, finishing 10th in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham in January before running fifth in the Gr.1 BCD Sprint (1400m), won by Melody Belle, at Te Rapa on February 9 at her most recent start.
"I'll run her in the 1100 on Saturday and then it's two weeks into the Aurie's Star (Gr.3, 1200m)," Corstens said.
"She'll run really well and that will top her right off for the Aurie's Star at Flemington. She goes very well down the straight."
True Excelsior was third in the Gr.3 Standish Handicap (1200m) over the straight 1200m at Flemington on January 1 this year before she travelled to New Zealand.
Corstens said True Excelsior was a valuable broodmare and she could head off to the breeding barn this spring but her next couple of runs would be telling as to whether she pressed on for another season of racing.
