Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Promising mare Rayas provided Levin’s Joshua Shaw with his first training success when she stormed home from well back to capture the Nu Farm/FPA NZ Handicap at Awapuni on Saturday.
Stakes placed in the Gr. 3 Wellington Stakes last year for her initial mentor Paul Shailer, Rayas was having her first run for Shaw after opening her four-year-old season at Taupo last month from the stable of fellow Levin resident Peter Larmer.
It was Shaw’s first runner to the track as a trainer and the mare did him proud as she overcame a decent check in the home straight before powering to the front in the hands of visiting Matamata rider Michael Coleman.
The victory was the first of a race-to-race double for Coleman who also scored on Crafty Jess and left her novice trainer struggling for words to describe the experience when questioned after the event.
“We think a fair bit of her and I think she will keep going after that,” said an understated Shaw.
“We’re still learning about her although I had a fair bit to do with her when Paul had her.
“I think we can sit back now and have a look at where we go with her.
“It’s my first winner from my first horse which is pretty good.”
Bred in partnership by Simms Davison and Windsor Park Stud, Rayas is the younger sibling of last season’s Gr. 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes winner Lasarla. – NZ Racing Desk