Lord Ernesto
Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Injury plagued galloper Lord Ernesto had his trainer Sandie Cookson on the verge of tears after he completed an all-the-way victory at Whanganui on Saturday
Beautifully rated by rider Johnathan Parkes, the six-year-old gelding brought back memories of his debut season when he freewheeled his way to victory in the Dave Hoskins Carriers rating 85 sponsored event. Successful in his first two career starts back in 2015 Lord Ernesto had promised to set the winter racing scene alight however a series of bone chips and other niggling leg injuries have curtailed his raceday endeavours with Saturday's victory his first in 13 further runs since that heady start.
Cookson was full of praise for both Parkes and her charge when questioned after the race.
"Very emotional and so nice to see him back," she said.
"It's just so good to have Johnathan back on him as he's a great rider and a really good friend.
"He has been a bit of a problem horse but I'm just so proud of him. We were going to ride him back a little but he jumped so well that Johnathan let him stride and he has absolutely killed them."
Parkes was equally effusive in his praise for the Patapan gelding.
"He travelled really well after he flew the gates," he explained.
"It made it easy when I could put him the race as he got some nice sectionals and quickened up well when I asked him.
"He showed a great kick at the top of the straight and won quite convincingly.
"He showed a lot earlier on before he had a couple of chips taken out of his knees. When they have those sorts of things go on you have to hope you have the right horse turn up on the day and he certainly did that." – NZ Racing Desk
Beautifully rated by rider Johnathan Parkes, the six-year-old gelding brought back memories of his debut season when he freewheeled his way to victory in the Dave Hoskins Carriers rating 85 sponsored event. Successful in his first two career starts back in 2015 Lord Ernesto had promised to set the winter racing scene alight however a series of bone chips and other niggling leg injuries have curtailed his raceday endeavours with Saturday's victory his first in 13 further runs since that heady start.
Cookson was full of praise for both Parkes and her charge when questioned after the race.
"Very emotional and so nice to see him back," she said.
"It's just so good to have Johnathan back on him as he's a great rider and a really good friend.
"He has been a bit of a problem horse but I'm just so proud of him. We were going to ride him back a little but he jumped so well that Johnathan let him stride and he has absolutely killed them."
Parkes was equally effusive in his praise for the Patapan gelding.
"He travelled really well after he flew the gates," he explained.
"It made it easy when I could put him the race as he got some nice sectionals and quickened up well when I asked him.
"He showed a great kick at the top of the straight and won quite convincingly.
"He showed a lot earlier on before he had a couple of chips taken out of his knees. When they have those sorts of things go on you have to hope you have the right horse turn up on the day and he certainly did that." – NZ Racing Desk