Mr Knowitall
Trish Dunell
Co-trainer Margaret Carter had two simple instructions for apprentice Zy Nor Azman when discussing tactics for stable representative Mr Knowitall ahead of the fourth race at Ellerslie on Saturday.
"I simply said to him to let the horse do his own thing and make sure he has a clear run when you ask him for his final effort," she explained after the nuggety Civics gelding claimed his eight career success for Carter and her husband Tim who prepare him from their Cambridge base.
"He's very well named this horse as he does think he knows everything and will do exactly what he wants despite what the jockey might think is the plan.
"He races best when you just let him settle and have him nice and happy bowling along at his own speed. Zy did everything I asked of him and thankfully the horse did the rest."
A determined finish for third at his previous run hinted at a return to the winner's circle for the gelding who was also suited by the lack of numbers in Saturday's contest as he faced just five rivals in the rating 85 event.
"The small field suited him as he didn't get too far off them which is an issue when he races in bigger fields," noted Carter.
"The three kilogram claim also played into our hands as he's not very big and can't really carry the bigger weights.
"His work following the Te Rapa race was very good so it was nice he could deliver on that."
The win provided some consolation for the Carter's after stable star Battle Time had to settle for second behind Fire Jet in the previous event after finding trouble in the run home.
"He just didn't get much of a go at them in the straight and was steaming home that last bit so I guess you could say he was unlucky," said Carter.
"Mind you it was a very good ride on the winner as he kept us in the pocket and we just couldn't get going until it was too late."
Both Battle Time and Mr Knowitall will now head to the Tauranga meeting on the 25th of June for their next assignments. - NZ Racing Desk
"I simply said to him to let the horse do his own thing and make sure he has a clear run when you ask him for his final effort," she explained after the nuggety Civics gelding claimed his eight career success for Carter and her husband Tim who prepare him from their Cambridge base.
"He's very well named this horse as he does think he knows everything and will do exactly what he wants despite what the jockey might think is the plan.
"He races best when you just let him settle and have him nice and happy bowling along at his own speed. Zy did everything I asked of him and thankfully the horse did the rest."
A determined finish for third at his previous run hinted at a return to the winner's circle for the gelding who was also suited by the lack of numbers in Saturday's contest as he faced just five rivals in the rating 85 event.
"The small field suited him as he didn't get too far off them which is an issue when he races in bigger fields," noted Carter.
"The three kilogram claim also played into our hands as he's not very big and can't really carry the bigger weights.
"His work following the Te Rapa race was very good so it was nice he could deliver on that."
The win provided some consolation for the Carter's after stable star Battle Time had to settle for second behind Fire Jet in the previous event after finding trouble in the run home.
"He just didn't get much of a go at them in the straight and was steaming home that last bit so I guess you could say he was unlucky," said Carter.
"Mind you it was a very good ride on the winner as he kept us in the pocket and we just couldn't get going until it was too late."
Both Battle Time and Mr Knowitall will now head to the Tauranga meeting on the 25th of June for their next assignments. - NZ Racing Desk