Woodsman wins at Te Teko
Photo- Kenton Wright Race Images
It may not have looked pretty, but trainer Tony Gillies had nothing but praise for Viktoria Gatu's performance aboard Woodsman at Te Teko.
"He's a hard horse to ride and you have to let him do his own thing," he said. "She got him out well so when he started pulling she could let him roll forward."
Woodsman covered plenty of extra ground near the pace in Monday's Putauaki Trust Cup before he strode to the front 250 metres out to put the issue beyond doubt.
"He's a tough horse and that was a really good win," said Gillies, who is a part-owner of the Mastercraftsman gelding.
Woodsman had a handy margin to spare at the post on Hollywood Lad and Visible, who both enjoyed more economical trips.
"I was four wide for a bit and I thought he was flat at the 800, but I gave him a tap on the shoulder and he kept finding," Gatu said.
Earlier in the programme, the three-year-old Prodigal Son boosted his classic claims with victory in The Beacon Maiden.
He was an encouraging fourth in the Listed BMW Salver at Ellerslie three runs back before minor placings in two maiden contests.
"He was unlucky at Auckland where he raced greenly and at his next couple of starts he had no luck," co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said.
"He can only improve and I think he'll develop into a handy staying horse. We'll probably go to the Avondale Guineas and then on to the Derby." – NZ Racing Desk.
"He's a hard horse to ride and you have to let him do his own thing," he said. "She got him out well so when he started pulling she could let him roll forward."
Woodsman covered plenty of extra ground near the pace in Monday's Putauaki Trust Cup before he strode to the front 250 metres out to put the issue beyond doubt.
"He's a tough horse and that was a really good win," said Gillies, who is a part-owner of the Mastercraftsman gelding.
Woodsman had a handy margin to spare at the post on Hollywood Lad and Visible, who both enjoyed more economical trips.
"I was four wide for a bit and I thought he was flat at the 800, but I gave him a tap on the shoulder and he kept finding," Gatu said.
Earlier in the programme, the three-year-old Prodigal Son boosted his classic claims with victory in The Beacon Maiden.
He was an encouraging fourth in the Listed BMW Salver at Ellerslie three runs back before minor placings in two maiden contests.
"He was unlucky at Auckland where he raced greenly and at his next couple of starts he had no luck," co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said.
"He can only improve and I think he'll develop into a handy staying horse. We'll probably go to the Avondale Guineas and then on to the Derby." – NZ Racing Desk.