Leading South Island jockey David Walsh had to forego his seven rides at Wingatui when his flight from Christchurch was cancelled and a rescheduled flight would only get him to the track by mid-afternoon.
That left Michael Pitman, who co-trains Reset The Turbo, looking for a rider for the opening race, and he opted for local jockey Toni Direen.
Direen had ridden for the Pitman stable only twice before. Both rides were on Aqualine in June, 2011.
''The reason why I put her on is because she always rings me for rides,'' Pitman said.
''I said I'm easy to ride for - if you do it my way, you can never do it wrong. If you do it your way, you better start thinking of an excuse if you get beat.''
Reset The Turbo had been trained by Sharleen Cullen at Te Aroha, but had only placed once from 14 starts before he joined the Pitmans' Yaldhurst stable at the end of last season.
He had two runs at Riccarton this season for an eighth and a 12th before yesterday's win.
''He went a really good race first up and his last start he got four or five wide on a hot 1200m race,'' Pitman said.
''So I thought I'll run him over a mile [1600m] and at least he can be in front.''
• North Taieri trainer-breeder Brian Anderton was joined by co-breeder Mickle Weastell yesterday to watch Raise The Flag progeny Ablaze show plenty of zip over 1200m yesterday.
Anderton and Weastell breed from the Personal Escort mare Alight, with Star Son (four wins) the best of the product from Alight so far.
But Ablaze's ability to win over 1200m suggests he is one to watch for the future.
Ablaze's victory continues a good association Anderton has had with Weastell's family, which traces back through mares such as Alight's dam, Bi Light, and her dam, Lamp Light.
By contrast, Google Me's career almost looked done and dusted when the Otago Daily Times talked to his trainer, Kelvin Tyler, in March.
Tyler had failed to see much to suggest he should continue on with the 7yr-old son of Gone For Real.
But four second placings and several other handy efforts led to the veteran winning his third race at his 65th start on Saturday, in the hands of Terry Moseley.
Tyler said the gelding's track work was good, but he tended to ''cheat'' on race day.
''With old Moseley up, he sorted him out, but he won well,'' Tyler said.
The Riverton trainer will seek out some softer tracks for the well-tried galloper.
''He's a bit gammy and likes the give in the track. He doesn't let down [in his stride], otherwise.''
