Heroic Valour
Trish Dunell
Matt Cameron had a thousand reasons to be beaming after the hot two-year-old prospect Heroic Valour prevailed on his home track on Saturday.
The 29-year-old posted his 1000th New Zealand winner aboard the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained colt in the Listed Reid & Harrison (1980) Limited Slipper at Matamata.
"To do it while I'm still in my twenties is awesome, not too many have," Cameron said.
Adding to Cameron's satisfaction was the milestone being achieved in the tangerine colours of Te Akau, for whom he is the retained rider.
"They've been massive supporters of mine, it's a really big thrill," he said.
Heroic Valour stalked the leader Nova Swiss to the turn before he took control into the straight and, despite racing greenly, he had enough in reserve to hold out the late challenge of Mongolian Falcon by a head with a long head back to Gasoline.
"He's a big baby and he's doing it on class," Cameron said. "There's plenty more to come from him - I knew he would kick, he needs another horse to go with him and then he'll be even better."
A winner last month on debut at Wellington, Heroic Valour will make his next appearance in the Gr.1 Sistema Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 12.
"We think he's a Group One horse and he's going the right way," Autridge said.
"He came back from Trentham really well and he's a young horse with tons of ability. He's still doing things wrong, but he is learning."
Mongolian Falcon was unable to match the early speed in the race and lengthened stride well in the straight to take second money.
"We've got a high opinion of him," co-trainer Chris Gibbs said. "He's got gears and he's going to make a lovely three-year-old." – NZ Racing Desk.
The 29-year-old posted his 1000th New Zealand winner aboard the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained colt in the Listed Reid & Harrison (1980) Limited Slipper at Matamata.
"To do it while I'm still in my twenties is awesome, not too many have," Cameron said.
Adding to Cameron's satisfaction was the milestone being achieved in the tangerine colours of Te Akau, for whom he is the retained rider.
"They've been massive supporters of mine, it's a really big thrill," he said.
Heroic Valour stalked the leader Nova Swiss to the turn before he took control into the straight and, despite racing greenly, he had enough in reserve to hold out the late challenge of Mongolian Falcon by a head with a long head back to Gasoline.
"He's a big baby and he's doing it on class," Cameron said. "There's plenty more to come from him - I knew he would kick, he needs another horse to go with him and then he'll be even better."
A winner last month on debut at Wellington, Heroic Valour will make his next appearance in the Gr.1 Sistema Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 12.
"We think he's a Group One horse and he's going the right way," Autridge said.
"He came back from Trentham really well and he's a young horse with tons of ability. He's still doing things wrong, but he is learning."
Mongolian Falcon was unable to match the early speed in the race and lengthened stride well in the straight to take second money.
"We've got a high opinion of him," co-trainer Chris Gibbs said. "He's got gears and he's going to make a lovely three-year-old." – NZ Racing Desk.