Final Touch wins the $45,000 Berkley Stud Stakes at
Wingatui yesterday. Photo by Tayler Strong.
Final Touch, a resounding winner of the $45,000 Berkley
Stud Stakes, the feature sprint at Wingatui yesterday, is set
to back up in the Timaru Cup tomorrow.
"Providing she comes through the race OK, she will go to
Timaru," John Parsons, the co-trainer of Final Touch, said.
Kylie Williams, who rode Final Touch yesterday, had already
confirmed the engagement for the Timaru Cup, ahead of
Chaparella, whom she has ridden in three wins from four
starts this season.
Kylie Williams after riding Final Touch yesterday. Photo by
Tayler Strong.
Final Touch was at the rear of the field until the 400m
in the 1200m race yesterday, then charged home to win by two
and three-quarter lengths. The Kashani mare raced by Karen
Parsons, the co-trainer, is stepping up to 1600m at Washdyke.
Williams has won the Timaru Cup on Pins 'N' Needles (2006),
Sapphire Belle (2005) and Aubwin (2000).
Pins 'N' Needles was trained by John and Karen Parsons, who
have also won the Timaru Cup with Coup Morgan (2004),
Portofino Bay (2003) and Diablo Girl (1995).
Williams rode three other winners yesterday - Locket, Ric
O'Shea and Semper Plus.
Locket and Semper Plus are both trained by John and Karen
Parsons.
Dick Molyneux at Wingatui yesterday. Photo by Tayler
Strong.
The filly Semper Plus finished boldly from eighth in the
running to win the Guineas Prelude (1400m). Semper Plus is
raced by 85-year-old Dick Molyneux, who made the trip from
Christchurch to see her race. He won a race at Wingatui 51
years ago with Roman Maid, who won the 1960 Easter Handicap at
Riccarton. Molyneux had his first win as an owner with the
pacer El Supremo at Ashburton in 1950.
The day had started badly for the Parsons stable when Alpine
Heights was scratched at the barrier due to slight lameness
in a foreleg.
• Trainer Steven Prince said he would set Ric O'Shea for the
White Robe Lodge Handicap at Wingatui in February after the
4yr-old recorded his third win in four starts this season.
Prince won the White Robe with Volronamo in 2004.
• Deakes, winner of the 2yr-old race at Wingatui yesterday
will head back to the Matamata stable of Jon Sargent for the
Karaka Million at the end of January.
"He was in here today to qualify for the Karaka Million and
he has done the job," said Andrew Carston, foreman for the
Riccarton branch of the Sargent stable. Deakes has now earned
$7450 in stakes.
The Australian-bred gelding by Shaft finished second in his
other start at Riccarton. David Walsh sent Deakes clear early
and he won untested by two and three-quarter lengths.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.