Leading rider keeps his distance at Pukekohe Wed, 11 Jul 2012
Matt Cameron finished his day at Pukekohe as he had started it – with a three win lead in his quest for the jockeys’ premiership.
Cameron rode his 152nd winner for the season when successful on Zahtui for Shaun Clotworthy in the maiden metric mile and cancel out Lisa Allpress’ earlier success aboard Princess Leia in the novice sprint.
A mare by noted wet-weather sire Hawkeye, Zahtui has a history of slow beginnings but the serial offender was away much better today. She responded to Cameron’s urgings before the turn and produced a sustained finish to open her account.
Meanwhile, local horsemen John Ruddell and Bruce Wallbank each celebrated their first training successes and in the case of the latter also his last.
Wallbank announced after Dakarai’s victory that he was taking a step back from training and Stephen McKee would be doing the professional honours for him in the future.
Ruddell posted his elusive first winner when Malbec got home narrowly in the opening event on the programme. It was not unexpected as the Le Bec Fin mare had placed in three of her previous four starts.
Another notable result today was Chapchick’s success, the second of her eight-start career, and another for her dam. She is out of Fairy Tipsy, whose first live foal Mr Tipsy won again in Sydney at the weekend for the 10th win of the Group One performer’s career.
His half-brother and Gr.1 Levin Classic winner Distill also won on debut in Hong Kong last month and will be in action at Happy Valley later tonight.
Chapchick’s trainer Grant Long is confident the High Chaparral mare is capable of also measuring up in much better company. “She’s a special filly and good enough to go to Melbourne and win some nice races,” he said.
