Going To War records sharp win at Riccarton
An opinion offered by visiting North Island rider Jonathan Riddell was enough to convince Invercargill based trainer Sabin Kirkland that a trip north to Riccarton could pay dividends for his unraced two-year-old Going To War.
Riddell was down south enjoying a recreational fishing trip last week when he rode the horse for Kirkland and was impressed with the feel the big and bold youngster gave him.
“Jonathan was down for a fishing trip with us last week and he galloped him on the Saturday for me,” said Kirkland.
“He said he was a very good horse which lifted our expectations and confirmed what he had been showing in his work.”
A wide barrier draw and a lack of disclosed trial form saw the Battle Paint gelding at outside odds for Saturday’s 1000m two-year-old contest, however he belied those limiting factors with a polished display in the hands of rider Lisa Allpress.
Allpress was at her brilliant best as she guided Going To War into a handy midfield position before stalking the leaders around the home turn.
Allowed to balance up in the tricky going, Allpress gave the gelding his head at the 150m mark where he quickly put paid to his rivals before driving away to an authoritative two-length victory.
Kirkland is now eyeing a return to Riccarton for the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) on 5 May.
“We’ll be trying to win that one again,” he said.
“We won it a few years ago with Elusive Catch so it would be good to win it again.”
Kirkland, who shares in the ownership of Going To War with wife Clare, purchased the horse at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale for $14,000 from the Bradbury Park draft.
The win was one of five on the day for Allpress who also took out the feature event, the Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), on La Fille En Jeu.