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New Zealand ex-pat jockey James McDonald made a winning return to his favourite track on Saturday when he rode Australian raider Long Leaf to victory in the Karaka 3YO Classic at Ellerslie.
The David, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained colt was favoured by punters heading into the race and did not disappoint.
McDonald settled the three-year-old midfield before tracking Media Sensation from the 900m mark. He then drew his charge into the clear at the top of the straight where he went to battle with $160 outsider The Real Beel.
The Sir Peter Vela part-owned colt was able to stave off the challenge to win by a neck over The Real Beel with three-quarters of a length back to race favourite Madison County in third.
Long Leaf was purchased out of Curraghmore’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft by BBA Ireland for $750,000 and carried the colours of part-owner Coolmore to victory on Saturday.
“It’s a great thrill for connections, with Sir Peter Vela and the Coolmore boys,” McDonald said. “He’s a super horse and we got the result.”
McDonald said it was exciting to be back racing on his favourite track on one the biggest race days on the New Zealand calendar.
“This is one of my favourite tracks out of everywhere I have ridden,” McDonald said. “To get a result for this team has been a great thrill.
“I haven’t ridden here for three years and everything has changed, the stables look magnificent.”
Sir Peter Vela, who has been a long-time supporter of McDonald, said he was delighted with the win and for his jockey.
“I am thrilled for him (McDonald) and for all the group that own him,” Vela said. “He gave it a peach of a ride and I’m just delighted for him to get the accolade.”
It was a three-peat for the combination of jockey Opie Bosson and Richards, who combined with previous winners Avantage and Melody Belle when Richards was training in partnership with Stephen Autridge.
After jumping away from the outside barrier in the 14-horse field, Bosson had no option but to settle Probabeel towards the rear of the field in the 1200m event.
The pair bided their time before looming large on the turn and were able to make light work of their opposition to win by 2-3/4 lengths over stablemate Aotea Lad, with Te Akau picking up the trifecta when stable runner Yourdeel dead-heated with Appellant, three-quarters of a length back in third.
Richards, who is in his first year training on his own account, was delighted with the result, but was quick to pass on praise to his support team at Te Akau.
“It is just such a massive team effort, I’m only the name in the book. We have got a huge support crew around us. It’s a big buzz and a bit of a relief to be honest,” Richards said.
Richards said that Probabeel had shown ability from an early stage and he is excited for what is in-store for the daughter of Savabeel as she develops into her frame.
“We went to the Te Teko trials at the end of August and Mark Walker was home from Singapore. She came from last and ran second and Mark said to me ‘I haven’t seen a horse trial that good since King’s Chapel’, so we have known for a little while,” he said.
“She’s a big scopey filly, she’s nowhere near wound-up yet. The future is very exciting.”
