Classy southern pacer Vintage Cheddar announced his return to racing in emphatic style when winning the Wairio Cup on Saturday.
Racing fresh-up from the backmark of 20m was not enough to stop the Alister Black-trained 5yr-old, who put in a late dive to claim runner-up Franco Santino on the line.
Vintage Cheddar was aided by a typically brilliant drive by leading reinsman Blair Orange.
With a lap of the 2400m handicap to run, Orange worked the 5yr-old into the one-one behind main rival Franco Santino.
He then waited until the field had turned for home until angling Vintage Cheddar into the clear and asking the pacer to unwind.
Franco Santino fought hard, but could not hold off the winner’s powerful finish.
Nota Bene Denario was more than two lengths away in third.
Orange also claimed race 1 with Touche for trainers Peter and Mitchell Robertson.
That victory gave the driver victories at three different tracks in just over 24 hours.
Orange drove Aorangi to win in race 1 at 11.53am at Addington on Friday.
He then flew to Auckland, where he drove Dr Susan to win race 3 at 7.15pm.
Orange was back in the South Island to win race 1 at Winton on Saturday, which was run at 12.20pm.
Oamaru reinswoman Kerryn Tomlinson scored the first treble of her career at Winton on Sunday.
Tomlinson, who has recently moved to Otago to work for trainer Brad Williamson, scored wins with Humble Lad (race 4), Stingray Tara (race 7) and Cracker Hill.
Cracker Hill trounced his opposition by more than 10 lengths in a high impressive effort to remain unbeaten this season.
Williamson’s brother, Nathan, notched his 800th driving win in New Zealand with wins on Allaboutjoy (race 3) and Dangerous (race 5).
