Pacorus
Trish Dunell
A gritty winning performance by tough Tavistock gelding Pacorus was the first leg of a successful "double" for Cambridge trainer Chris Wood at Tauranga on the weekend.
Shortly after sharing a celebratory drink with the delighted connections of Pacorus, Wood slipped away to watch son Jonty play a starring role for the Mount Maunganui premier rugby team in their top of the table clash with Te Puke Sports.
While both sports were affected by the rough weather experienced on the day Wood wasn't complaining about getting a little wet in both pursuits.
"I managed to keep relatively dry at the races but got soaked on the sideline at the rugby," he chuckled.
"Mind you when your horses are winning and you see your family do well it's worth it."
Wood was taken with the victory of Pacorus who has really hit his straps in recent weeks.
"He is a very promising type and typical of his breeding he has taken time to strengthen up and take advantage of the ability he has," he said.
"Viktoria (Gatu) did come back after his last start and admit she didn't do such a good job on him but she made amends on Saturday with a very good ride. I told her to settle him where he was comfortable and let him bring you into the race and she did that nicely.
"I did think he was a little flat going down the back but when he got going he toughed it out well and was strong on the line."
Wood believes his charge will get even better as he gets older and does hold a long term plan to try him across the Tasman next season.
"I have said to his owners that once he is fully mature he will be pretty competitive in the staying ranks," he noted.
"I think he is just the type we could take to Melbourne, away from Carnival time, and do well so that is hopefully where we will aim him next year.
"For the time being we'll just bring him through the grades. I think he might just have one or maybe two more runs this time in then he can have a break and come back in the spring." NZ Racing Desk
Shortly after sharing a celebratory drink with the delighted connections of Pacorus, Wood slipped away to watch son Jonty play a starring role for the Mount Maunganui premier rugby team in their top of the table clash with Te Puke Sports.
While both sports were affected by the rough weather experienced on the day Wood wasn't complaining about getting a little wet in both pursuits.
"I managed to keep relatively dry at the races but got soaked on the sideline at the rugby," he chuckled.
"Mind you when your horses are winning and you see your family do well it's worth it."
Wood was taken with the victory of Pacorus who has really hit his straps in recent weeks.
"He is a very promising type and typical of his breeding he has taken time to strengthen up and take advantage of the ability he has," he said.
"Viktoria (Gatu) did come back after his last start and admit she didn't do such a good job on him but she made amends on Saturday with a very good ride. I told her to settle him where he was comfortable and let him bring you into the race and she did that nicely.
"I did think he was a little flat going down the back but when he got going he toughed it out well and was strong on the line."
Wood believes his charge will get even better as he gets older and does hold a long term plan to try him across the Tasman next season.
"I have said to his owners that once he is fully mature he will be pretty competitive in the staying ranks," he noted.
"I think he is just the type we could take to Melbourne, away from Carnival time, and do well so that is hopefully where we will aim him next year.
"For the time being we'll just bring him through the grades. I think he might just have one or maybe two more runs this time in then he can have a break and come back in the spring." NZ Racing Desk
