It was a sentimental win for Tarras owner Robbie Gibson when Dozintmateranyway prevailed in the Lake Hawea Hotel Wanaka Cup yesterday.
The trophy attached to the race was the 1939 James Hazlett Gold Cup won by Royal Chief at Wingatui. Royal Chief subsequently stood on lease at the Mt Barker Stud at Wanaka operated by Stuart Faulks, great-grandfather of Gibson.
The cup was returned to the Otago Racing Club last year by Barbara Firth and her sister, whose father, A. K. Firth, raced Royal Chief. Otago Racing Club chief executive officer Andre Klein was able to uplift the trophy during a visit to England.
Royal Chief won major races in New Zealand and Australia when trained at Riccarton by Fred Jones. Royal Chief sired several top horses.
It was the first win at Cromwell for Gibson, who has raced numerous horses, including the well performed Volronamo.
It was a rewarding win for another part-owner of Dozintmateranyway, Mike Smith, as he sponsored the race as proprietor of the Lake Hawea Hotel.
Ken Heckler, of Rangiora, and Walter Cameron, of Kurow, are the other part-owners of Dozintmateranyway. The Danske-Conquisteraad gelding bred by his owners did not begin racing until he was a 4yr-old 16 months ago. He was badly affected by a skin condition as a young horse. He has won four of his 13 starts.
He is the first foal of Conquisteraad (Volksraad-Conquistarose), a winning sister to Volronamo, who won the 2004 White Robe Lodge Handicap and James Hazlett Stakes.
• Tony Prendergast bridged a 45-year span training winners at Cromwell when Noble Reason was successful yesterday.
Prendergast (75) was an owner-trainer based at Moonlight when he saddled Rutanui to win the George Wishart Memorial Handicap at the Cromwell. Jockey Club meeting in March 1965 Rutanui was at odds of 66 to one in his first race for 11 months. The 9yr-old Ruthless gelding won again at Cromwell two days later. Rutanui was ridden on the first day of the meeting by Brian Anderton and Stan Hawthorne on the second day.
"Rutanui hadn't been to a racetrack for a year," recalled Prendergast.
Toni Direen, an apprentice with the Brian and Shane Anderton stable, rode Noble Reason to win yesterday. She was a replacement for Kylie Williams, who injured a shoulder in a fall at Washdyke on Thursday.
It was the third win for Noble Reason since he was leased 12 months ago by Billy Jamison, of Kurow, Dean Lory, of Christchurch, his brother Nigel, of Australia, Lyn Shaw, of Oamaru, and Nick Sikma, of Christchurch.
Noble Reason had one a maiden race from the Takanini stable of Stephen McKee.
Shankar Muniandy replaced Williams on Woodyeva, winner of the Queenstown Cup in a spectacular finish. Woodyeva, owned by Peter Lyon, of Alexandra, has now won two of his three starts at Cromwell.
Muniandy became available with the scratching of Inferno, who had swelling in a joint after a paddock injury.
Muniandy was suspended until December 10 for careless riding on Outrageous Fortune, who finished second in race 2. He admitted shifting out near the 100m, causing Benabar to clip a heel.
Jamie Bullard replaced Jamie Bates as the rider of Ima Dude, winner of race 9. Bates, who rode Spoilt Princess to win, was feeling the effects of dehydration. He was transported to hospital for observation.
Trainer Michael Daly was fined $200 after Stormy Rain had to be resaddled at the start, delaying the race.
Daly informed stewards that Turf Fire had struck herself when she finished last at Washdyke on Thursday.
• John Dickie and Glenys Dickson had their first win as owners when Spoilt Princess was successful. The Ferndale brother and sister have Spoilt Princess in the stable of Ellis Winsloe.
The Towkay-Penjensu 4yr-old mare was a $3000 purchase as a 2yr-old at the South Island sale. Dickie was attracted to Spoilt Princess as Penjensu is a half-sister by Yamanin Vital to Famous Princess, the dam of Trusty Prince, who won three races for his father, Alton Dickie.
Penjensu is out of Noble Princess, winner of 11 races when trained at Gore by Stephen Allen.
• Natuzzi won first up for Mosgiel owners, Bill and Sandra Duell and trainer Paul Richards. The Coats Choice gelding was bought out of the Riccarton stable of Ross Beckett after finishing second in a trial at Rangiora in April.
