Wait a Sec Wins Group I Livamol Classic

Media Release - Sunday October 22
In a thrilling finish to the rescheduled Group I Livamol Classic local galloper Wait A Sec upset the applecart with a stunning victory on his home patch.

Wait a Sec - Trish DunnellThe seven-year-old son of Postponed (USA) has proved a revelation of late with an extended campaign netting six wins from his last 8 races including the Egmont Cup just eight days earlier. Despite the impeccable form-line he was not freely considered to be a leading contender to claim the jewel of the Hawkes Bay Spring Carnival.

Prepared in partnership by Grant Cullen and Guy Lowry, the Postponed gelding started at odds of better than $26 as all eyes focussed on hot favourite Gingernuts. The Iffraaj four-year-old had been expected to win the original contest before it was called off a fortnight earlier when the meeting was abandoned due to adverse track conditions.

Supported on-course by an army of owners and fans in their distinctive orange caps, Gingernuts was given a comfortable trip beyond midfield throughout the race by rider Opie Bosson and loomed into contention on the point of the home turn.

At this stage rider Johnathan Parkes had elected to go for a rails-hugging run on Wait A Sec who had made good ground from well back to be in behind a wall of horses as the field straightened for the run home.

Fortune favoured the brave as Parkes drove his mount through a needle-eye gap 150 metres from the post and shot to the front where he held out a blazing late charge from Gingernuts who closed quickly but came up a head short of victory. Outsider Endean Rose fought bravely to snatch a priceless elite level placing with Saint Emilion close-up in fourth.

"We tossed up about backing him up after his Egmont Cup win last week but he pulled up so well from Hawera it was hard not to," explained Grant Cullen after the placings had been confirmed.

"This is huge for Hawkes Bay to win this race with a local, it's a real thrill.

"It hasn't sunk in yet but I'm sure it will by tomorrow or maybe the next day."

Cullen admitted there was a simple key to the improved performance of Wait A Sec who has now won eleven races from 41 career starts.

"He's just happy," he stated.

"We've changed his training regime around and we work him at home and around the farm. He's just a very happy horse and is very fit."

Cullen admitted the horse's main goal had been the Gr. 3 Christchurch Casino Cup in November, a target that was now likely to be revised.

"We will have to talk about where he goes as the Cup might not be so necessary now," he advised.

"To be honest we hadn't made any other plans as the New Zealand Cup was our goal but we will see how he pulls up and sit down and work something out."

Race favourite Gingernuts lost nothing in defeat with rider Opie Bosson offering no excuses for the performance that saw him in front just two strides past the post. Connections will now decide on whether the four-year-old crosses the Tasman to contest the Gr. 1 Emirates Stakes on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington on 11 November. - NZ Racing Desk


Advertisment
More Reading...
Rising Stars - Metro 2YO Double for Wootton Bassett
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) unleashed not one but two exciting juveniles at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with the opening race going to the colt Regulated Affair and shortly after it was the turn of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly Agarwood.
Castelvecchio Filly Records Promising Victory
Having placed in her first two starts, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman trained Street Lark (Castelvecchio) appeared to appreciate the step up to the 1500m of Wednesday’s Sportsbet Get On Extra Plate at Caulfield to break her maiden with a promising performance..
Queensland Calling for Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt
Champion trainer Chris Waller is renowned for producing talented back season juveniles that blossom into stakes performers and we saw one at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when heavily backed Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Regulated Affair opened his account.
Inglis Chairman’s Sale-Toppers – Where Are They Now?
A star studded renewal of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale will light up Riverside Stables this evening from 5pm with glamour girls Bella Nipotina and Amelia’s Jewel vying for top honours, so we’re taking a quick look back to check in on some of the stars from the past.
So You Think Filly Shows Oaks Potential
The Bjorn Baker stable has been on fire this year and it’s full steam ahead to Queensland for talented So You Think filly Dame Commander, who beat older rivals at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
First Win for Sword of State Half-Sister
Well-related filly Paravane broke through for her maiden win in pleasing fashion at Ellerslie on Wednesday when taking out the Join TAB Racing Club 1200 in the hands of senior hoop Vinnie Colgan.
Japanese Bred Filly Wins At Eagle Farm
Could trainer Kris Lees have the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on his mind after his three-year-old, northern hemisphere bred filly Eclair Encore (Jpn) recorded a strong victory over 1800m at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 7
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Million Dollar Goal for I Am Invincible Filly
Tony and Calvin McEvoy landed a lucrative victory in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May last year with Arabian Summer and are hopeful they have another filly that can do the job this year in Sisstainable.
Pedigree Watch – Euro 3YO Chester Classic Trials
Godolphin have been dominating the Northern Hemisphere classics in spectacular fashion on both sides of the Atlantic, but Coolmore had their turn at Chester overnight producing a homebred colt from a family with an Aussie offshoot and a sale-topping filly with Derby and Oaks aspirations.