Yodelay
Race Images Palmerston North
Trina and Jonathan Riddell's hopes for a merry racing Christmas gained serious momentum at New Plymouth where they celebrated an upset win with Yodelay on Saturday.
The Awapuni trainer and her jockey husband will now look to complete a notable stable double when they next combine with Speech Craft in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Yodelay played her festive role perfectly when the genuine mare turned in a gallant performance to take top honours in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race in her first appearance for nine months.
"Her trial the other day was quite good, I was pretty soft on her," Jonathan Riddell said. "She's just a really honest mare and she won well."
The Swiss Ace five-year-old is owned by her Taranaki breeders Des and Kay Fleming, who also raced the Group Three winner Pero from the stable.
"They are lovely people and great supporters of Trina, they've always had a couple with her," Riddell said.
Yodelay raced on the pace and she fought on doggedly in the straight for a hard-earned nose decision over Gladstone Belle. In a blanket finish, the judge was unable to separate Mendip and Icehouse for third.
Meanwhile, Riddell has had to settle for a 'hands off' role with the Ellerslie contender Speech Craft.
"He's Trina's pet – I haven't been allowed on him, but he looks a million dollars and he was good the other day," he said.
Speech Craft finished runner-up on his home track in the hands of apprentice Alfred Chan when resuming earlier this month. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Awapuni trainer and her jockey husband will now look to complete a notable stable double when they next combine with Speech Craft in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Yodelay played her festive role perfectly when the genuine mare turned in a gallant performance to take top honours in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race in her first appearance for nine months.
"Her trial the other day was quite good, I was pretty soft on her," Jonathan Riddell said. "She's just a really honest mare and she won well."
The Swiss Ace five-year-old is owned by her Taranaki breeders Des and Kay Fleming, who also raced the Group Three winner Pero from the stable.
"They are lovely people and great supporters of Trina, they've always had a couple with her," Riddell said.
Yodelay raced on the pace and she fought on doggedly in the straight for a hard-earned nose decision over Gladstone Belle. In a blanket finish, the judge was unable to separate Mendip and Icehouse for third.
Meanwhile, Riddell has had to settle for a 'hands off' role with the Ellerslie contender Speech Craft.
"He's Trina's pet – I haven't been allowed on him, but he looks a million dollars and he was good the other day," he said.
Speech Craft finished runner-up on his home track in the hands of apprentice Alfred Chan when resuming earlier this month. – NZ Racing Desk.