Wingatui trainer Steve Tyler and northern rider Leah Hemi capped a successful week when Morena Roc scored his maiden win at Ascot Park yesterday.
Tyler and Hemi started their week by combining to win with Dreaming Easy at Wingatui on Monday.
It would have been appropriate if Morena Roc had scored at Wingatui's dual code meeting on Monday.
The Roc De Cambes 5yr-old is raced by harness racing trainer Graeme Anderson and harness racing owners Tony Gow, Gerald Cayford, Steve Pulley and Ray Chalkin.
Morena Roc raced at Wingatui on Monday, but did not appreciate being buried on the rail in a big 14-horse field over 1600m.
Stepping up to 2130m and being able to race in clear air made the winning difference yesterday, Tyler said.
"On Monday, I felt he was one of my best chances at Wingatui.
"But he had a good draw and got inside and he didn't want to be amongst the other horses.
"He was very field-shy and didn't have any confidence.
"He drew outside at Invercargill and had plenty of room around him."
Tyler said having Hemi aboard his horses was a major asset to his stable.
"It was a great ride by Leah. They walked early and she looped them and dictated to them.
"She has ridden a few winners for me.
"She is a senior jockey with a North Island brain and very clever."
Morena Roc's run at Wingatui on Monday was his first since he fell in a race at Kumara in January.
Tyler's apprentice, Zubair Bholah, sustain substantial injuries in the incident from which he is still recovering.
Classy southerner Finbarr score a deserved win in yesterday's feature sprint at Ascot Park.
The open middle-distance event was won by Come Fly With Me.
