STEP IN TIME SCORES EASILY

Recording his second victory in recent times, Step In Time (4 g Time Test – Caradonna, by Don Eduardo) raced away with the $35,000 Rating 65 2200 metres on 25 July at Rotorua.

Step In Time was successful second-up in this campaign when drawing clear to win the Maiden 1600 metres on 8 May at Matamata, with Ballymore Stables apprentice Joe Nishizuka (a4) aboard, and the same combination obliged again.

Following the Maiden win he fought well for sixth after sharing a spirited pace in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 19 June at Pukekohe, before striking ground in which he was unable to quicken in the Rating 65 1650 metres on 6 July at Hastings.

Co-trainer Pam Gerard had reported Step In Time had been working super and eaten everything leading up his latest assignment, and expected him to again appreciate four-kilos weight relief to carry 54kg.

Although drawn wide (13), Nishizuka was positive from the outset, going forward into midfield and improving to sixth with cover at the 600m. The pairing made an early move to lead, turning for home with a four-length advantage and sustained a strong gallop to win easily.

Scoring by two and a quarter lengths, Step In Time followed in the footsteps of his dam, Caradonna, who recorded all three wins (2100m – 2200m) on heavy ground, including a course/distance victory at Rotorua.

On Heavy10 footing, Step In Time ran 2200 metres in 2:24.4, last 600m n 38.7, and paid handsomely ($23.50 & $6.60) on the NZ TAB tote.

“He’s not a big horse and easy to ride, so it’s good to make use of Joe’s apprentice claim, and he’s just been waiting to get up in trip,” Gerard said.

“They walked and sprinted last time over a mile at Hastings, which didn’t suit him, and the (Heavy8) ground was a bit better too.

“He’s kept stepping up in this preparation, not put in a bad run, so it shows he’s maturing into being a competitive racehorse.”

Owned by Deirdre Neville-White MNZM and Ballymore Stables, who share a long history together, Step In Time was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased for $45,000 at the Karaka 2021 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Highden Park.

“Deirdre absolutely loves this horse and given he’s going well with a claimer on means he should be able to remain competitive as he steps up in class,” Gerard added.

Step In Time stems from a very good family. Winner of three races to 2200 metres, his dam Caradonna is by AJC Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Don Eduardo (Zabeel), the highest priced ($3.6m) yearling to sell at Karaka.

In turn grand-dam Balmacara (Bassenthwaite) was a top miler that won the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) and two other Listed races among eight victories to 2100 metres, and she is half-sister to Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 3, 1400m) winner and Australia Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) runner-up Vedodara (Kreisler), who left Avondale Cup (Gr. 1, 2200m) winner Sharvasti (Montjeu), along with dual Group Two winner Bhandara (Zabeel) and Group Three winner Shastri (Stravinsky).

Step In Time was strapped by Rathore Singh.