FIFTH COURSE WIN BY TEVERE

Course specialist, Tevere (5 m Contributer – Italian Princess, by Bertolini) kept a good run going for Ballymore Stables when winning the $75,000 Open Handicap 1500 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Last Saturday, co-trainer Pam Gerard saddled Group Two winner Dragon Queen (Sweynesse) for success in the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) at Matamata, and Tevere kept the momentum in making it six wins from 16 starts.

Ridden by Jake Bayliss, who had been clicking well with her in track work, Tevere was steered to a spot four back inner, travelled up sweetly before angling across heels turning for home and kept giving to prevail in a close three-way finish.

“I gave her a hard gallop the other day to remind her of what she’s here for and since then her work has been great,” Bayliss said.

“I was really excited to get on her race day and had her down as one of my best rides today.

“It was fortunate to get the job done for Ballymore Stables. Pam and her staff are great and they’ve always been loyal supporters of mine, so it’s great to reward them.”

In the race sponsored by Alpha First Mortgage Investments, Tevere ran 1500 metres in 1:28.6, last 600m in 34.7, on Good4 footing, and paid handsomely on the NZ TAB tote: $19.10 & $3.90.

“Last year she went through the grades pretty quickly and all season she’s been racing against the best,” Gerard said.

“Her runs haven’t been bad, but back to open class today and it’s just a step back which has seen her win and a chance to get her confidence back.

“She’s certainly got it all there, but maybe we just put her in the deep-end a bit soon.

“She dug deep today. Over a shorter distance she’s been found wanting a little bit and we tried her at a mile and she didn’t quite get it, but the track was off that day.

“It’s great for Gordon (Cunningham), he puts so much into the industry and she’s a really good mare that has plenty in her yet.”

Bred and owned by Gordon Cunningham (Curraghmore Stud), Tevere, Italian for the river Tiber, is the fifth foal from Italian Princess, all bred by Cunningham, and fourth individual winner from the stakes winning mare that recorded five victories, including three at Te Rapa.

Italian Princess is a half-sister to Group One winner Defibrillate (Shocking), while grand-dam Our Chickaroonie has left six winners of 30 races.

Accepting the spoils, Cunningham said: “Thank you to the sponsor and the Waikato Racing Club, and it’s great to win a race on Derby Day.

“The winning photo will take pride of place alongside the other four races she’s won at Te Rapa.

“Tevere has been a very promising horse and I can honestly say that Pam (Gerard) and her team have done a great job getting her to reach her potential.

“Pam has developed this filly with real patience and never lost faith in her measuring up to the some of the best.

“She told me this morning that Tevere had never been better and with Jake (Bayliss) aboard she was confident of her racing well.

“It was a good ride by Jake, saving ground and once into the clear the filly put her head down in a show of real determination.

“To win a race here on Derby Day will be a fond memory for a long, long time.”

Tevere was strapped by Michael Thompson.