Gallant Ruby
Wayne Huddleston - Wild Range Photography
It was business as usual for legendary local trainer Brian Anderton on Saturday when he and son Shane saddled up a winning double at their Wingatui home base.
It is a rare occasion when the pair fail to produce a winner when racing at home and on paper they looked to have a strong hand throughout the day's proceedings. That was confirmed early in the piece when Gallant Ruby scored in effortless fashion in the second race on the day and was quickly followed by Quartet in the next.
Both mares were capping off some consistent form of late with Anderton senior convinced there is plenty more to come for the duo.
"Gallant Ruby is a very promising galloper who won her first start and then finished third in a stakes race at her next run," he noted.
"Unfortunately she broke a bone in the back of her knee and had three months of box rest followed by another six weeks on the walker so we are lucky to have her back at all.
"She's as sound as a bell now so I think she can go on with it based on what she has produced to date."
Anderton is also keen on the future prospects of Quartet who has now won three of her last six starts.
"She is a mare who I think could be even better once she gets up over a little further," he said.
"She is a very gross mare and a good doer who is probably looking for a mile or further. The hardest part for her will be to find a suitable race as there doesn't appear too many options for those in and around the rating 85 grade."
Anderton was also thrilled by the performance of underrated miler Tommy Tucker who flew home to finish second to The Diamond One in the main race on Saturday's card, the Gr. 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap.
"He went superbly after being held up at a vital stage," he said.
"An ounce of luck would have seen him home although he would have been crucified by the handicapper if he had won it.
"These older male gallopers are being driven out with the current policies. He has won a single stakes race and he is probably one of the highest rated horses in the country.
"There has to be some changes made as there just isn't a future for horses like him the way things are now."
Anderton is eyeing a $30,000 mile on his home track in early March for the rugged gelding while a tilt at the Listed Easter Cup at Riccarton in April also remains an option. – NZ Racing Desk
It is a rare occasion when the pair fail to produce a winner when racing at home and on paper they looked to have a strong hand throughout the day's proceedings. That was confirmed early in the piece when Gallant Ruby scored in effortless fashion in the second race on the day and was quickly followed by Quartet in the next.
Both mares were capping off some consistent form of late with Anderton senior convinced there is plenty more to come for the duo.
"Gallant Ruby is a very promising galloper who won her first start and then finished third in a stakes race at her next run," he noted.
"Unfortunately she broke a bone in the back of her knee and had three months of box rest followed by another six weeks on the walker so we are lucky to have her back at all.
"She's as sound as a bell now so I think she can go on with it based on what she has produced to date."
Anderton is also keen on the future prospects of Quartet who has now won three of her last six starts.
"She is a mare who I think could be even better once she gets up over a little further," he said.
"She is a very gross mare and a good doer who is probably looking for a mile or further. The hardest part for her will be to find a suitable race as there doesn't appear too many options for those in and around the rating 85 grade."
Anderton was also thrilled by the performance of underrated miler Tommy Tucker who flew home to finish second to The Diamond One in the main race on Saturday's card, the Gr. 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap.
"He went superbly after being held up at a vital stage," he said.
"An ounce of luck would have seen him home although he would have been crucified by the handicapper if he had won it.
"These older male gallopers are being driven out with the current policies. He has won a single stakes race and he is probably one of the highest rated horses in the country.
"There has to be some changes made as there just isn't a future for horses like him the way things are now."
Anderton is eyeing a $30,000 mile on his home track in early March for the rugged gelding while a tilt at the Listed Easter Cup at Riccarton in April also remains an option. – NZ Racing Desk