Terrific Treble!

What a day it was for the stable at Matamata on Wednesday!

The South Waikato Racing Club’s popular annual race day proved a memorable one for us with each of our seven horses engaged running right up to their best form.

In doing so they provided Chad Ormsby with his first treble as co-trainer – as well as his first quinella.

Kicking off the day in stunning style was Madly Bentley who could not have been more impressive breaking her maiden by a soft 5½ lengths.

Jumping fast, the well related Australian bred daughter of Flying Spur took a sit after being pressured early – regaining the lead at the top of the straight and racing away.

“She had been knocking on the door for a while,” said Ormsby, adding that “it looks like the 2000m is going to be her favourite trip.”

A mare who has always shown ability, Madly Bentley was racing over the 2000m for the first time. Raced by Ballymore Stables the $50,000 Easter purchase for Paul Moroney was bred by Shadwell Stud out of the Zabeel mare Saywaan.

A half-sister to the Group One sprinter Rewaaya, Saywaan hails from one of Australia’s best families – able to boast amongst her relations the big race winners Snippets and Forensics as well as in-form young stallion Not A Single Doubt.

A few races later and The Last Shower recorded a similar victory to Madly Bentley – the lightly raced three-year-old at only her second run this time in also showing good natural pace.

Showing a terrific turn of foot in the run home, the daughter of Encosta de Lago stallion Cecconi appreciated the addition of blinkers to her gear – her victory also a big one – three easy lengths!

And game in second placing was her stable mate Milkwood – a Dylan Thomas filly who was having only her second start.

Well regarded by the stable The Last Shower has, says Ormsby, always looked like “an Oaks type of filly.”

With that in order a trip to Australia is on the cards with the Group One Queensland Oaks her winter target.

Raced by Geoff Griffiths, Mark Ollerenshaw, her breeder Gerald Bell, Craig Ibbotson and The Flagan Club Racing Syndicate, The Last Shower is a half-sister to the Melbourne stable’s multiple city winning mare Shylock’s Daughter.

Completing our terrific treble was longshot Thats How We Roll who stormed home to overhaul his more fancied stable mate Glove Man over the very final stages of the 1600m maiden.

Having only his third start, the son of Pentire had raced a bit greenly at his first couple of starts but with the benefit of race experience was able to show his best.

“He didn’t have the form on the board,” Ormsby admitted, “but he is a horse who has always shown us that he will make the grade.”

“He was quite impressive,” he added, “and we are confident that he can go right on with it from here.”

Glove Man, also having just his third start, was game boxing on for third and a win is not far away for the promising son of Keeper.

Raced by Ballymore Stables, Thats How We Roll was a bargain $20,000 purchase for Paul at the Select Yearling Sale in 2011.

He is out of the four times winning Kaapstad mare Merrin Jane who is closely related to the Western Australian Derby winner All Ashore.

Hopefully this run of success can continue at Trentham on Saturday – our sole weekend runner Kaptain Kirkup taking his place in the Listed Lightning Handicap over 1200m.

Nicely drawn in barrier five, the normally consistent six-year-old disappointed us a bit last time out but Ormsby is hopeful that a change of gear will see him find his best form,

“He will be wearing blinkers for the first time,” he said – “and they have improved his work.”

“He was a bit below par last time but if he produces his best he will prove hard to beat.”