Longchamp
Trish Dunell
Tim Johnson enjoyed the biggest day of his racing life at New Plymouth where he continued his winning association with the Group One contender Longchamp.
The Awapuni apprentice had ridden the four-year-old to previous victories at Otaki and Wanganui before he was entrusted with the ride in Saturday's Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup.
It was Johnson's first start in a black type race and he kept a cool head to complete a hat-trick of wins aboard the free-going Tavistock gelding.
"I said to Tim that we all had the utmost faith in him and he hasn't let us down," trainer Andrew Campbell said.
"He's done a great job and he's a young fellow going places."
Longchamp disputed the early pace before he took control 600 metres from home and he held a strong gallop in the run to the post to win by two and a half lengths.
"He jumped nicely and he put himself in the race like he always does, he's quite easy to ride," Johnson said.
"I knew he would handle the track and we stuck to the fence and he was too good. I am very grateful to the connections for the opportunity to ride him."
The winner of six of his 16 starts, Longchamp's record might be even better but for ongoing leg problems.
"He's a very good horse, but with issues," Campbell said. "We've got that first race at Hastings to look at now."
Campbell has his sights set on the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes, a race he won with Longchamp's sire Tavistock in 2009, at Hastings on August 27.
Saturday's placegetters North And South and Taurus will head in a different direction with next month's Gr.3 eStar Winter Cup at Riccarton on their programmes. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Awapuni apprentice had ridden the four-year-old to previous victories at Otaki and Wanganui before he was entrusted with the ride in Saturday's Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup.
It was Johnson's first start in a black type race and he kept a cool head to complete a hat-trick of wins aboard the free-going Tavistock gelding.
"I said to Tim that we all had the utmost faith in him and he hasn't let us down," trainer Andrew Campbell said.
"He's done a great job and he's a young fellow going places."
Longchamp disputed the early pace before he took control 600 metres from home and he held a strong gallop in the run to the post to win by two and a half lengths.
"He jumped nicely and he put himself in the race like he always does, he's quite easy to ride," Johnson said.
"I knew he would handle the track and we stuck to the fence and he was too good. I am very grateful to the connections for the opportunity to ride him."
The winner of six of his 16 starts, Longchamp's record might be even better but for ongoing leg problems.
"He's a very good horse, but with issues," Campbell said. "We've got that first race at Hastings to look at now."
Campbell has his sights set on the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes, a race he won with Longchamp's sire Tavistock in 2009, at Hastings on August 27.
Saturday's placegetters North And South and Taurus will head in a different direction with next month's Gr.3 eStar Winter Cup at Riccarton on their programmes. – NZ Racing Desk.
