Riccarton trainer Peter Rudkin knows better than to turn down a horse by a good sire.
So when the chance to race Karaka Jack came along, Rudkin was in - boots and all.
Rudkin's theory worked when the 5yr-old Darci Brahma gelding took the short way home at Oamaru yesterday in the 1400m maiden, after 18 previous winless starts - 17 of those in the North Island for trainer Mark Brosnan.
''When this Darci Brahma was offered to me, I had to grab it because we all know these Darci Brahmas are good horses,'' Rudkin said.
Rudkin had to get the galloper to adjust his racing style when the horse arrived at his stables earlier this year.
''The biggest thing is up north he used to jump and over-race and got his head high,'' he said.
''So that was a big aim to turn it around. We changed a bit of gear on the horse, and worked it a bit different maybe, and we noticed the change in the horse.''
Karaka Jack's first run for Rudkin was at Blenheim last month when it put in a well-behaved run for second, but today was the main aim with wily jockey Chris Johnson in the saddle.
''We took it to Blenheim and thought we'd treat it as a trial, and today was a good question mark as to whether it would settle,'' Rudkin said.
''I said to Chris `ride it as quiet as possible' but I thought it was too quiet.''
Rudkin need not have worried, as Johnson produced one of his trademark runs to find space near the rail and urge Karaka Jack to a comfortable 2-length win over Beautiful Brother and Quest For Luck.
''We think he's a miler and Chris said to me [after the race] `I'll ride him anywhere'.''
A start at rating 65 level over 1600m at Riccarton on September 7 is Karaka Jack's next likely target, Rudkin said.
Johnson's ride did not escape the stewards' attention. He was suspended for three riding days after admitting a breach of careless riding, as a result of Karaka Jack shifting out at the 350m mark, forcing Luvlybubbly on to Just Bolting and Leeboy.
His suspension starts on August 24, and he can ride again from August 29.
