Bishops flies!

A horse who has always displayed a great deal of natural ability, Bishops Castle was impressive racing away to an easy victory in trying conditions at Sandown on Wednesday.

Having his first start since the spring, the well-related son of O'Reilly was sent out favourite on the strength of the promise he showed last time in - and he never looked like letting his supporters down.

Despite doing a fair bit of work out wide just off the leaders early - subsequently forced to make his run early, Bishops Castle was always travelling like the winner.

Taking the lead before the turn, Bishops Castle kicked early in the straight and just kept going, his margin on the line a soft length.

"He got a bit tired on the line," a pleased Michael Moroney said, "but to be fair to him he had to do it a bit hard early dnd he hit the go button a bit early - so it was a strong performance."

"He is a lovely horse," Moroney added - "and he has always shown us a lot. Hopefully as a gelding he can string a few wins together now."

Very green as a colt last spring, Bishops Castle "threw away" a couple of his races - several changes of gear not helping him to race tractibally.

"So we had him gelded and this time in we took all the gear off and just started again."

The win was a significant one for jockey Brad Rawiller - his 2000th!

And he thinks he chose a nice horse to hit that milestone with.

"He is still very green but he has an exciting future."

A $NZ160,000 Karaka purchase for Paul Moroney, Bishops Castle is raced by

R & C Legh Racing, Gurners Bloodstock Co (Manager Andrew Ramsden), Dr John Kennedy, Roberto Scheriani, Harold Hansen, Wright Racing, Neville Scurrell, Warwick Poll and the SHH Syndicate.

Bred by Waikato Stud's Garry Chittick, he is out of the unraced Zabeel mare Hooked Ona Feeling - a cleverly named daughter of the dual Group 2 winner Ugachaka.