Go Nicholas
Trish Dunell
Ellerslie specialist Go Nicholas added to his already impressive record at the venue when he strolled clear to capture his fourth career victory on Saturday in the Colgate Optic White 1400.
All of those wins have been recorded at Ellerslie along with a further four minor placings from just ten starts. The victory also tipped his career earnings over the $100,000 mark for trainer Shelley Hale and the large group who share ownership in the five-year-old Danroad gelding.
The victory was déjà vu for Hale after her charge had taken out a similar event in a lesser grade on the same day last year.
"It's great to get back into the winner's circle as he's raced so genuinely but just hasn't been able to pick one off in this prep," she said.
"It was a lovely ride by Mark (Du Plessis) so I think it's well deserved."
Hale admitted she hadn't given any specific instructions to Du Plessis before the race.
"We didn't have a hard and fast set plan as the horse has a really good turn of foot so we just wanted him to relax early on," she advised.
"He hadn't got the 1400m once before as he just didn't quite see it out but there were no worries today.
"We've had a few minor niggles with him that are just one of those things whereas he strung them together last year so you just kind of expect the same.
"Now's he got this one on the board I think we can go on from here."
Hale had hoped to return to Ellerslie with Go Nicholas this coming weekend however the lack of a suitable race looks likely to curtail that plan.– NZ Racing Desk
All of those wins have been recorded at Ellerslie along with a further four minor placings from just ten starts. The victory also tipped his career earnings over the $100,000 mark for trainer Shelley Hale and the large group who share ownership in the five-year-old Danroad gelding.
The victory was déjà vu for Hale after her charge had taken out a similar event in a lesser grade on the same day last year.
"It's great to get back into the winner's circle as he's raced so genuinely but just hasn't been able to pick one off in this prep," she said.
"It was a lovely ride by Mark (Du Plessis) so I think it's well deserved."
Hale admitted she hadn't given any specific instructions to Du Plessis before the race.
"We didn't have a hard and fast set plan as the horse has a really good turn of foot so we just wanted him to relax early on," she advised.
"He hadn't got the 1400m once before as he just didn't quite see it out but there were no worries today.
"We've had a few minor niggles with him that are just one of those things whereas he strung them together last year so you just kind of expect the same.
"Now's he got this one on the board I think we can go on from here."
Hale had hoped to return to Ellerslie with Go Nicholas this coming weekend however the lack of a suitable race looks likely to curtail that plan.– NZ Racing Desk
