Racing: Walters wins first race over jumps

Billy Elliot and jockey KC Walters, tracked by Indian Burt (obscured, Michael Mitchell) take the...
Billy Elliot and jockey KC Walters, tracked by Indian Burt (obscured, Michael Mitchell) take the fence in the home straight safely during the restricted open steeplechase at Wingatui yesterday. Photo by Matt Smith.

Never mind the national jockeys' premiership.

The only title that matters at Wingatui - at least to the two jockeys gunning for the gong - is the prestige of being leading jumps jockey based at the course.

KC Walters added some spice to the battle with good friend Shankar Muniandy when he won his first jumps race at his eighth attempt at Wingatui yesterday to draw level with Muniandy.

Like Muniandy, Walters (25) only took up jumps riding this season but was patient aboard the Kevin Myers-trained steeplechaser Billy Elliot, who met rival Cecil 1.5kg better off despite winning their last battle on June 5.

"It's a good feeling - it's good to get it off my back,'' Walters said.

He only knew he had the win "when I was at the winning post''.

"I didn't look back so I didn't know how close they were,'' Walters said.

Walters will head to Hastings to ride Ngatira Gold in the Hawkes Bay Hurdle tomorrow, and he reckons he will strike while he is hot.

"One ride, one win - I'm going in confident!''

Odi Et Amo showed some staying tendencies which could serve him well in the future when he broke maidens at his eighth start.

The son of Danger Looms was left with plenty to do at the top of the straight in the 1600m maiden when Dream Divine's jockey, Toni Direen, stole a three-length break.

But Odi Et Amo's jockey, Kevin Kalychurun, looked for an effort from his ride and found it as the 5yr-old kept grinding to nab Dream Divine on the line.

Odi Et Amo's trainer, Steven Prince, has been impressed by the tenacity of his charge in recent starts.

"Even the other day [June 5] when he ran third it was a big effort,'' Prince said.

"Today, he was going to be second because [Dream Divine] put three length on him and he just kept digging.

"He keeps getting better all the time, and he's going to be better when he gets to 2000m.''

Former Otago Racing Club events and marketing manager Charlotte Neilson has been involved with the horse since he was a yearling and was understandably emotional for several reasons.

"He was the most ugly baby - you would have never thought he was a racehorse,'' Neilson said.

"He had a short neck, a really weird-shaped body, ugly face and stumpy legs. But he's blossomed into something special.''

Neilson owns Odi Et Amo with former Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein and the Trodmore Partnership No1. Breeder Craig Ironside, of Otaki, is also in the ownership.

A wry smile from Rangiora trainer Steven Woodsford suggests there is plenty to look forward to with the Brian Kirk-owned Good Choice.

Asked whether he expected improvement from the 3yr-old after finishing fourth on debut at Timaru last month, Woodsford's face gave it away.

"Yeah we did - he's a little bit talented,'' Woodsford said.

"He's shown us a little bit but he's got a bit to learn, he's still green. He'll keep going through the winter. He's a wet tracker.''

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