D’Llaro
Trish Dunell
Matt Gillies bit the hand that feeds when he guided D'Llaro to an upset victory in the K. S. Browne Hurdles at Ellerslie on Monday.
The Awapuni-based jockey got the best out of the 22-1 shot to beat an erratic Sea King, on whom he won the race last year.
Gillies rides extensively for Sea King's trainer Kevin Myers and was successful for the Wanganui horseman aboard Crash Bandicoot earlier in the day, as well as stablemates Ngario and Billy Elliot at Wingatui on Sunday.
D'Llaro measured his fences well in front and Gillies said he was confident of holding the challenge of Sea King, who hung badly in the run home, at bay with his six kilo pull in the weights.
"He's as tough as old boots and we had 65kg compared to Sea King's 71. There will be more in store for this horse."
D'Llaro is trained by his part-owner and former top jumps jockey Graeme Lord, who said victory in the K.S. Browne Hurdle was an emotional one.
"I never rode for the man, but I did ride against him."
Meanwhile, Gillies believes Crash Bandicoot can be a player in the Great Northern Steeplechase.
"He's looking good for September, there's a lot of improvement in him," he said. "He jumped brilliantly all the way."
Part-owned by Jo Rathbone, Crash Bandicoot settled off the pace in the Faceup – Low Fees in Real Estate Steeplechase before he moved into contention down the hill for the final time and then raced clear to score by 10 lengths. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Awapuni-based jockey got the best out of the 22-1 shot to beat an erratic Sea King, on whom he won the race last year.
Gillies rides extensively for Sea King's trainer Kevin Myers and was successful for the Wanganui horseman aboard Crash Bandicoot earlier in the day, as well as stablemates Ngario and Billy Elliot at Wingatui on Sunday.
D'Llaro measured his fences well in front and Gillies said he was confident of holding the challenge of Sea King, who hung badly in the run home, at bay with his six kilo pull in the weights.
"He's as tough as old boots and we had 65kg compared to Sea King's 71. There will be more in store for this horse."
D'Llaro is trained by his part-owner and former top jumps jockey Graeme Lord, who said victory in the K.S. Browne Hurdle was an emotional one.
"I never rode for the man, but I did ride against him."
Meanwhile, Gillies believes Crash Bandicoot can be a player in the Great Northern Steeplechase.
"He's looking good for September, there's a lot of improvement in him," he said. "He jumped brilliantly all the way."
Part-owned by Jo Rathbone, Crash Bandicoot settled off the pace in the Faceup – Low Fees in Real Estate Steeplechase before he moved into contention down the hill for the final time and then raced clear to score by 10 lengths. – NZ Racing Desk.