Race Images Palmerston North
Fraser Auret was happy in defeat at Tauherenikau where his Group One winner Aide Memoire gave a strong account of herself after a lengthy break.
The Marton trainer, like most of his counterparts, has been frustrated by the wet weather and his hand was forced to give the mare an outing in The Hits Handicap.
In her first start since she triumphed in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes last year, Aide Memoire was in or near the lead throughout for stable apprentice Madan Singh.
The daughter of Remind was in front on straightening and boxed on well under 63.5kg in the worst part of the track to finish a brave runner-up.
By contrast, the winner Sir Kingwood sat back and made the most of his nine and a-half kilo pull in the weights to come down the outside of the course under rider Sam Collett.
“She’s been six months off the scene after she jarred up a bit back when she won at Trentham so it was nice to see her back,” Auret said.
“I’m over the moon with that. It’s just been so wet everywhere and today was just about giving her a good hit-out.
“We thought about the Taupo trials on Friday, but decided it was better to come here and give her a run under race day conditions.
“Quite obviously she is going to improve an awful lot now.”
Auret said he will monitor Aide Memoire’s condition in the coming week before he confirms a start in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings on September 2.
“It’s a long season ahead and if she’s not quite at her peak then we’ll wait for the second one at Hawke’s Bay, the Windsor Park Plate.” – NZ Racing Desk.