Gentil Tonton too tough in the Taumarunui Gold Cup
A change of stables could have done the trick for globetrotting Gentil Tonton, which won its first race for trainer John Bell in the Taumarunui Gold Cup at Rotorua.
The former European gelding wasn’t fancied in the betting, but Bell was confident when we spoke to him earlier in the week and that confidence paid off come race day.
The rising seven-year-old scored at odds of $10.20 with Bet365.com to deliver its first win since beating Prize Lad at Hastings in May, 2016.
Jockey Sam Weatherley, who saluted in the race prior aboard Bowie, gave the son of Yeats a plum ride in transit and used the outside part of the track to perfection. The leading apprentice was confident of a good run prior to the race.
“I wouldn’t mind a bit of rain, but he likes it here at Rotorua and I think he’s a good ride in these track conditions,” Weatherley said.
John Bell was full of praise for Weatherley, who stated earlier in the season that Gentil Tonton would win the Taumarunui Gold Cup.
“Young Sam rode him a treat, he’s a hard horse to ride,” Bell said. “When he found out we were getting the horse, Sam said he would win this cup and he’s done that.
“Look at him, he’s smiling away there, he’s happy as.”
Gentil Tonton hadn’t been in the winners enclosure for over a year, but it had always shown the ability to win at high levels. Bell was confident it could continue its solid form on this track having placed in the Rotorua Cup last year.
“We’ve seen his races over the years – he’s been in and out of form,” Bell said. “We’ve changed some things around the stable and you find those horses, well some of them, will grow a leg.
“We just tried to make friends with him.
“He ran second to Storming The Tower in the Rotorua Cup, that was on the outside fence.”
Bell stated earlier in the week that he didn’t want to travel with Gentil Tonton and his mind hasn’t changed much.
“They’re early noms aren’t they? (New Zealand Cup nominations),” Bell asked. “I hate early noms.
“At the moment he’ll pay for the feed bill, but we’ll have to look and see.
“We’ll change his attitude, get him happy and look for something local as opposed to travel.
“I’m getting too old for that.”