Bloodstream
Race Images South
A little bit of maturity and a healthy dollop of confidence that comes from victory has been the key to finding the best from promising stayer Bloodstream who made in four wins in a row at Riccarton on Saturday.
Trainer Terri Rae had plenty of faith the five-year-old Duelled gelding could show his true potential once he could escape from some of the misfortune that had dogged his earlier runs.
"He needed a little bit of time but more than anything he just had to get some luck in his races," she explained.
"It seemed like every start he had something go wrong which I do think dented his confidence. Once he got that first win on the board it really got him going and he has just gone from strength to strength.
"He has really blossomed and you can see that in him now."
Rae was delighted with what she saw on Saturday as the gelding settled beautifully in mid-field during the early stages of his rating 85 2000 metre contest. Set alight by rider Danielle Johnson at the top of the straight, the gelding displayed a rapid turn of foot to reel in the leaders and charge clear for an impressive victory.
"We know he can put in some very quick closing sectionals but Saturday was a little different as it was a pretty muddling pace for most of the race," she said.
"It really suited the leaders but Danielle (Johnson) got him into a nice spot and he really sprinted hard when she asked him.
"His racing manners have improved as he travelled beautifully during the race so hopefully that is going to stand him in good stead when we step up in grade again."
Rae will monitor her charge's condition over the next few days but is eyeing up a start on the last day of the Riccarton carnival before a possible tilt at a northern staying feature.
"I just want to make sure he comes through Saturday well before making any further plans for him," she said.
"As long as he pulls up well there is a 2500 metre race on the last day we will look at.
"After that I am toying with a start in a race like the Manawatu Cup before tipping him out for a spell.
"I don't want to bust him or knock his confidence so we will play it by ear but he is an exciting prospect for the future."– NZ Racing Desk
Trainer Terri Rae had plenty of faith the five-year-old Duelled gelding could show his true potential once he could escape from some of the misfortune that had dogged his earlier runs.
"He needed a little bit of time but more than anything he just had to get some luck in his races," she explained.
"It seemed like every start he had something go wrong which I do think dented his confidence. Once he got that first win on the board it really got him going and he has just gone from strength to strength.
"He has really blossomed and you can see that in him now."
Rae was delighted with what she saw on Saturday as the gelding settled beautifully in mid-field during the early stages of his rating 85 2000 metre contest. Set alight by rider Danielle Johnson at the top of the straight, the gelding displayed a rapid turn of foot to reel in the leaders and charge clear for an impressive victory.
"We know he can put in some very quick closing sectionals but Saturday was a little different as it was a pretty muddling pace for most of the race," she said.
"It really suited the leaders but Danielle (Johnson) got him into a nice spot and he really sprinted hard when she asked him.
"His racing manners have improved as he travelled beautifully during the race so hopefully that is going to stand him in good stead when we step up in grade again."
Rae will monitor her charge's condition over the next few days but is eyeing up a start on the last day of the Riccarton carnival before a possible tilt at a northern staying feature.
"I just want to make sure he comes through Saturday well before making any further plans for him," she said.
"As long as he pulls up well there is a 2500 metre race on the last day we will look at.
"After that I am toying with a start in a race like the Manawatu Cup before tipping him out for a spell.
"I don't want to bust him or knock his confidence so we will play it by ear but he is an exciting prospect for the future."– NZ Racing Desk