Chase leads all the way at Otaki
An inch perfect front running ride by Kate Hercock paved the way for former Group 1 performer Chase to return to the winners’ enclosure at Otaki.
The seven-year-old son of Zed, who has twice run third at the highest level over the 1600m distance of Saturday’s contest, hadn’t fired in the first three runs of his new campaign however a victory in a 1000m trial at Waverley trial on Tuesday indicated he may have been ready to strike form.
With just five rivals and no clear pacemaker, Hercock took the bull by the horns and bounced the Stephen Nickalls-prepared runner to a clear lead and set up the pace on her own terms.
Chase was travelling well turning for home and despite being challenged by Kick On out wide and closer in by favourite and eventual runner-up, Bold Belle, he found plenty in the concluding stages to run out a handy two length winner.
Nickalls was overjoyed with the victory as he acknowledged he had partially lost his voice after cheering hard as Chase kept his rivals at bay.
“I’ve lost my voice, my breath and everything as it’s a hell of a thrill,” Nickalls said.
“Kate (Hercock) has made me look like a good trainer with a beautiful ride.
“He’s a tryer, but every now and then he just doesn’t want to jump out (from the barriers). At the trials the other day Scrapper (Jonathan Riddell) led on him, and he said try and get him forward.
“There was no pace on today and Kate made the right decision by going forward and that was the winning of the race.
“I genuinely have no idea where he will be going next, but my daughter will be giving him a big pat tonight and planning the next holiday.
“She rides him around the paddock at home and she is only eight. We all just love him to bits.”
Hercock was pleased a pre-race plan had played out in her favour.
“He’s a bit of an old bludger and has got used to getting back and not doing anything,” she said.
“I said to Stephen there is no speed and he said I will leave it all to you. It’s lovely to ride for people like Stephen as he just leaves it in our hands.
“He (Chase) really dug deep today and is hard to get past. He only had 54kgs and he hasn’t carried that for quite some time.”