Winning Horse: Riding The Wave (Aus)

5yoG Malibu Moon (USA) - Rolling Sea (USA)(Sefapiano (USA))

16 starts - 6 wins 4 seconds 2 thirds 1 fourth $224993

Other Wins

1st Ballarat Ritchies Iga (Bm70) 1100m (2020)

1st Ellerslie Laser Plumbing Te Puke (Bm82) 1200m (2020)

1st Trentham Race Form (Bm72) 1200m (2020)

1st Te Aroha Pyramid Trucking 3Yo 1400m (2019)

1st Avondale Anzac Day At Avondale 25/4 Mdn 1400m (2019)

Other Placings

2nd Flemington Furphy Festive Season (Bm84) 1200m (2020)

2nd Ellerslie Go Racing Syndications (Bm72) 1200m (2020)

3rd Ellerslie Barfoot & Thompson (Bm72) 1500m (2019)

2nd Ellerslie Dunstan Feeds C'ship Qlfr-Bm72 1400m (2019)

2nd Ellerslie Marks Ewen 3Yo 1400m (2019)

3rd Pukekohe Mount Shop Mdn 1200m (2018) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Riding The Wave (W Price/L Smith) - $3.60F

2nd: Alburq (J Childs/M Moroney) - $6
3rd: Montenegro Man (J Kah/M Kavanagh) - $6

Winning Time: 1:09.01 Last 600m: 33.50

Margins: Nose x 2¼L

Winning Trainer: Lindsey Smith

Did he think he got the photo finish: “I cheated so I was quite happy - I was watching on the TV. I thought he got the bob in. Generally that works against you but he has got a big head. I know the owners weren’t happy with the way he rode it but I actually thought he rode it good because he let him stride and do all the work during the race, no speed in it. It was a good ride, I thought.

“I’ve had a feeling that he wants 1400 (metres) and the previous trainer who still owns him, he pays the bills so I’ve been listening to him. But now that he’s got a bit more money I might have to pull rank with him.

“The Standish, to win that would have put us out of play because we would have lost too many points. The money wasn’t a great deal different so losing all of those ratings points, sometimes you’ve just got to think a little differently.”

On unplaced Feuermond earlier: “Shin sore. You’re allowed to forgive them for that. Thought it was a disappointing run, he’s got a better motor than that but they just don’t run shin sore.”

Winning Jockey: Will Price

Progression since Ballarat run: “Really good. Obviously he got back that day but Lindsey was happy wherever we landed. He’s a big striding animal so we were always happy to let him use it and keep him in a good rhythm.

“Today we were able to use that. He’s pretty versatile which is good but I thought we got beaten on the line. He stuck his big head out, he was good.”

His Christmas: “It was really good. I got to duck back to Adelaide for a couple of days to see the friends and family and boys from schools. Had a good day at Caulfield last Saturday.”