Jochen Rindt
Trish Dunell
Trainer Terry Wenn reckons the human equivalent of his stable star Jochen Rindt would make a handy boxer if they were blessed with the rugged geldings never-back-down attitude.
That attitude was on display at Te Rapa on the weekend when the Ishiguru seven-year-old refused to yield in the home straight as he led all the way to claim his sixth career victory in the Team Wealleans sponsored 2100 metre open handicap.
"He is such a tough bugger and when he gets rolling along he doesn't want to let anything get ahead of him," explained Wenn.
"Sam (Spratt) has always said he's like a street fighter in that when they come up to him he's like 'now it's on let's go at it' and just tries his heart out."
While thrilled with the gelding's latest run of form Wenn did admit they were lucky to still have the horse after trying to sell him as a two-year-old.
"His full brother, Gurus Dream, won his only race here before being sold to Hong Kong where he has won another five races," he explained.
"We thought given that record we would trial this guy up and then try and sell him up there but that plan went out the window when he was so slow to mature.
"He didn't have his first race until he was nearly five and has taken plenty of time along the way. He has just got better and better in each campaign and he's now at his peak."
Wenn is eyeing up potential targets at the upcoming Hastings spring carnival while there is still some cut in the track before sending the horse for a deserved spell later in the year. – NZ Racing Desk
That attitude was on display at Te Rapa on the weekend when the Ishiguru seven-year-old refused to yield in the home straight as he led all the way to claim his sixth career victory in the Team Wealleans sponsored 2100 metre open handicap.
"He is such a tough bugger and when he gets rolling along he doesn't want to let anything get ahead of him," explained Wenn.
"Sam (Spratt) has always said he's like a street fighter in that when they come up to him he's like 'now it's on let's go at it' and just tries his heart out."
While thrilled with the gelding's latest run of form Wenn did admit they were lucky to still have the horse after trying to sell him as a two-year-old.
"His full brother, Gurus Dream, won his only race here before being sold to Hong Kong where he has won another five races," he explained.
"We thought given that record we would trial this guy up and then try and sell him up there but that plan went out the window when he was so slow to mature.
"He didn't have his first race until he was nearly five and has taken plenty of time along the way. He has just got better and better in each campaign and he's now at his peak."
Wenn is eyeing up potential targets at the upcoming Hastings spring carnival while there is still some cut in the track before sending the horse for a deserved spell later in the year. – NZ Racing Desk