Lauberhorn
Trish Dunell
The word "tough" was liberally sprinkled throughout Matamata trainer Graham Richardson's comments as he described the victory of stable runner Lauberhorn on her home turf on the weekend.
Richardson was delighted with the three-year-old filly's performance that saw her dispose of her four rivals in the Rich Hill Stud 1400 courtesy of a heady ride from pilot Mark Hills and some good, old fashioned grit in the drive to the finishing line.
Settled just off the speed in the early stages of the contest, Hills seized the initiative when he surged the Swiss Ace filly to a three length advantage with 600 metres to run. Hills went for the doctor on the home turn with Lauberhorn sustaining her run to score by a rapidly diminishing half length from race favourite The Justice League, who closed hard in the concluding stages.
"That was just a good tough win which pretty much sums up this filly," noted Richardson.
"She is just plain tough and can be a real handful when you try to do anything with her around the stable. That transfers to her racing style as you saw on Saturday.
"She's been in work since July last year and just seems to thrive on the whole stable environment as she has got better and better as we've gone along."
Saturday's victory was the filly's third in a thirteen start career with Richardson eyeing potential options at Ellerslie or Trentham for her next assignment.
"I have to sit down and discuss things with her owners but there is a nice race during Auckland Cup Week for her," he said.
"If we don't go there then the Wellington Guineas on the 19th of March is also an option so we will work out where we think she is best suited."
Richardson is also gearing up for a two-pronged attack on Wednesday's Gr. 3 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) with Strada Cavallo and Tessastock.
"They are both very well and ready to run a big race on Wednesday," he said.
"Both are going to appreciate the extra distance and it will top them off nicely before they head to the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham later in the month." – NZ Racing Desk
Richardson was delighted with the three-year-old filly's performance that saw her dispose of her four rivals in the Rich Hill Stud 1400 courtesy of a heady ride from pilot Mark Hills and some good, old fashioned grit in the drive to the finishing line.
Settled just off the speed in the early stages of the contest, Hills seized the initiative when he surged the Swiss Ace filly to a three length advantage with 600 metres to run. Hills went for the doctor on the home turn with Lauberhorn sustaining her run to score by a rapidly diminishing half length from race favourite The Justice League, who closed hard in the concluding stages.
"That was just a good tough win which pretty much sums up this filly," noted Richardson.
"She is just plain tough and can be a real handful when you try to do anything with her around the stable. That transfers to her racing style as you saw on Saturday.
"She's been in work since July last year and just seems to thrive on the whole stable environment as she has got better and better as we've gone along."
Saturday's victory was the filly's third in a thirteen start career with Richardson eyeing potential options at Ellerslie or Trentham for her next assignment.
"I have to sit down and discuss things with her owners but there is a nice race during Auckland Cup Week for her," he said.
"If we don't go there then the Wellington Guineas on the 19th of March is also an option so we will work out where we think she is best suited."
Richardson is also gearing up for a two-pronged attack on Wednesday's Gr. 3 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) with Strada Cavallo and Tessastock.
"They are both very well and ready to run a big race on Wednesday," he said.
"Both are going to appreciate the extra distance and it will top them off nicely before they head to the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham later in the month." – NZ Racing Desk