Our Echo Wins Listed Lightning Handicap

Media Release - Saturday March 16

Southern sprinter Our Echo showed his northern rivals just how good he can be when he sat wide throughout before holding off a host of challenges to win Saturday’s Listed Lincoln Farms Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham.

Tegan Newman salutes to Our Echo's victory in Saturday's Listed Lincoln Farms Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Prepared by Danny Frye at Balcairn, the seven-year-old came into the race off a last start victory at Wingatui which gave him a vital confidence boost leading into the contest.

Rider Tegan Newman followed instructions to the letter by allowing the son of Echoes Of Heaven to travel on his own terms, not afraid to sit four-wide for most of the race before joining issue at the 400m.

Left a sitting duck in front he fought like a tiger to defy his challengers, holding off Is That So and Imwonderfultonight to secure his sixth career victory, with that tally including a win at the same venue back in January 2022.

Frye was all smiles as he spoke about a change in tactics that had helped his charge turn his form around.

“He hasn’t had the rub of the green this time around as we brought him here earlier thinking we might get a 1400m or mile with him, but he didn’t have a lot of luck,” Frye said.

“We switched him back to 1200m and he has been on fire. 

“He’s a good horse, who can run good times but he needs a decent track.

“When the barrier draw came out for today we were pretty keen (on his chances).”

Advertisement

Newman admitted the ride didn’t look very pretty but was the way the horse liked to be handled.

“He jumped away quite well but Danny said to me you can’t pull him back if he jumps, just let him roll,” she said.

“You have to let him do it on his terms and when I saw Mercurial on my inside I knew I had him covered and he (Our Echo) has kicked really well.

“I think his last start win was a real confidence booster and he is quite an underrated galloper.

“When I presented him he wanted to go and he won really well.”

Our Echo is a son of the Yamanin Vital mare Sakura Cluden, a full sister to Gr.1 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Cluden Creek and from an extended family that includes former top quality southern gallopers Simon Snorkel and The Blonde Bimbo.

The win took his career record to six wins and 14 placings from 37 starts with just over $210,000 in prizemoney for his connections. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Lincoln Farms Lightning Hcp LR 1200m

Trentham Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:08.57
1
Our Echo
- 7g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Sakura Cluden (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: D B Frye Rdr: T L Newman 53
2
1
Is That So
- 7g Sufficient (NZ) x Sheez Torkin (NZ) (Electronic Zone (USA))
Tnr: C R Isdale Rdr: A Comignaghi 53
3
1.4
Imwonderfultonight
- 5m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Forever Loved (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ms S P Mynott Rdr: Joe Doyle 53
I Am Invincible
4
1.9
Mercurial
- 5g Burgundy (NZ) x Roxette (NZ) (Half Century (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S C Spratt 59
5
2
Petrucci
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Via Napoli (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54
6
3
Bradman
- 6g Pins (AUS) x Baggy Green (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: M Hashizume 53
7
4.5
Lincoln's Kruz
- 7g Kuroshio (AUS) x Myskina (AUS) (Xaar (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: L Sutherland 53
8
4.7
Ifndoubtgetout
- 7g Keano (NZ) x Latino Lady (NZ) (Spartacus (IRE))
Tnr: Ms T Bliss Rdr: C H Butler 55
9
6.2
Perfectsister
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x Justlikeyasister (NZ) (Gold Centre (AUS))
Tnr: G R Vile Rdr: S L Wynne 53.5
10
6.3
Ace Royale
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Criss Cross (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: P J Kiernan Rdr: K R Hercock 53
11
6.4
Wewillrock
- 5g El Roca (AUS) x Princess Michella (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos Rdr: M Cameron 53
11
6.4
Prioress
- 5m Proisir (AUS) x Shahbab (NZ) (Bertolini (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: M Singh 53.5
13
13.2
Idyllic
- 5m No Nay Never (USA) x Idlewild (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: K Gray Rdr: L J Allpress 53
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry. 
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.