Hold It Harvey set a weight-carrying record and the fastest
time for a White Robe Lodge Handicap with a phenomenal
finishing burst from the rear of the field under 58.5kg at
Wingatui on Saturday.
He gave Riccarton jockey Jamie Bullard his third win in the
metric mile, established in 1974.
Bullard has also won on Volronamo (2004) and Jack Be Nimble
(2005).
Hold It Harvey ran the 1600m in 1.35.15, which lowered the
race record of 1.35.20 set by St James in 1989.
Hold It Harvey, a 5yr-old gelding, trained at Riccarton by
Terri Rae, for her partner, Matt Shepherd, lifted his stake
earnings to $321,075 with the $47,500 first prize.
He has won 10 races from 37 starts.
He carried 0.5kg less than weight-for-age.
Bonecrusher carried 57.5kg to win the White Robe Lodge
Handicap in 1988 when the race was a restricted handicap and
no horse could be given more than scale weight.
Grey Way won the race in 1976, 77 and 79 with 57.5kg.
St James carried 57.5kg when winning the race for the second
time in 1991.
A Gordon For Me won under 57kg 1993 and Pins N' Needles
carried that weight in her 2007 win.
Rae is unsure of the next start for Hold It Harvey, but she
will consider the weight-for-age $200,00 Otaki Stakes (1600m)
at Otaki on February 28.
Hold It Harvey started on the outside of the 14-horse field
and Bullard said he had no option but to ease to the rear
early.
He was second last and some 10 lengths from the lead until
the 600m, then outfinished the pacemaker Eel Win by a neck.
Eel Win, winner of the race last year, was far from
disgraced, as he was given little respite in the lead by the
riderless La Vazza, who had stumbled and dislodged rider
Rosie Myers at the start.
La Vazza was actually first past the post by a long neck.
Royal Flight ran on well for third, a long neck back, a
creditable effort considering she had not raced for six
weeks.
