Kamikaze Rebel scores emotional win for Tracey Lammas
MATAMATA-based trainer Tracey Lammas scored an emotional win with Kamikaze Rebel in the Christmas At The Races Maiden to open the card at Tauranga on Saturday.
Lammas’s father Evan died peacefully surround by family last week, and that family was on track at Tauranga to celebrate the win of Kamikaze Rebel.
“Dad loved racing,” Lammas told HorseBetting.com.au. “It’s super special as my whole family is here including my brother and my aunty and uncle from Australia.”
The lightly-tried five-year-old ($2.40 with bookmakers) was ridden by husband Cameron Lammas who was wearing a black arm band and quickly paid his respects to his father-in-law after crossing the line.
“It was good, I think the old boy was helping us out a bit,” Cameron Lammas said.
“The horse was fresh-up today and with no trials, so I thought he might need the run. But he’s a tough little horse and he tries his hardest, and today he’s got up.”
Kamizaze Rebel had competed against some of New Zealand’s best age-group horses, but had been unable to win from eight career starts. Tracey Lammas was confident of a good fresh up effort, but the track conditions were a slight worry coming into it.
“He had trialled up well on heavy ground and always indicated he liked it better in his track work,” Lammas said. “He is a tough little horse that loves his job and always tries, but you can never be sure fresh up and heavy tracks vary so much.
“Today is a little loose which suited him.”
Lammas will look to keep Kamikaze Rebel in special conditions grade, but will wait to see how the son of Alamosa pulls up.
“Well you know I love those special condition maidens,” Lammas quipped. “I see a few coming up, but I’ll get him home see how he pulls up then have a good look.”