Veteran Our Echo Wins G3 White Robe Lodge Stakes

Media Release - Saturday March 1

Veteran galloper Our Echo showed all his fighting qualities when he clung on gamely to hold out a determined challenge from Perfect Scenario to capture the feature event at Wingatui, the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m)

Our Echo winning the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) at Wingatui on Saturday. Photo: Tayler Stong

Allowed to start at the luxurious price of $31 in the Fixed Odds market for the race, the Danny Frye-prepared eight-year-old had his chances discarded by punters, despite winning two of his previous three starts, due to his finishing last of seven runners on an unsuitable Heavy track at Ashburton six days earlier.

That performance proved an aberration as the son of Echoes Of Heaven is at his best when allowed to freewheel in the open spaces during a race and rider Tina Comignaghi achieved that to perfection as she sat on the tail of pacemaker Ears Back throughout.

Comignaghi asked the old boy for his effort shortly after straightening and he quickly mastered Ears Back and shot clear however Perfect Scenario, who was shooting for his third consecutive victory in the race, was stalking him at that point and angled into the clear to issue a stern challenge.

Getting closer with every stride Perfect Scenario put in a giant lunge at the winning post however he came up a nose short as Our Echo lasted to register his ninth and most important career victory.

Frye was sporting his normal cheeky grin when questioned about the performance and the road to the race after the horse had won at Trentham back in January.

“That was brilliant as we have kept him going through thick and thin and he has fronted up today,” Frye said.

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“We were keen on starting in the Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1400m) here after Trentham but through circumstances we ended up scratching which was a big call.

“We then went to Ashburton which was a bit of a misnomer as he is a big horse that we didn’t think would get through the heavy ground, but he had to have a run to get ready for today.

“We got it right and nailed it.

“I left things totally up to Tina as I was happy if he could get a sit but she was quite keen to be on the speed and she reads the races well and just loves the horse.

“Any race win is really cool but when it is a big race the anxiety builds up, but you just have to enjoy it.”

Trained at Balcairn by Frye, who shares ownership with eight others, Our Echo has recorded nine wins and 15 placings from his 47 starts and has accumulated over $406,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - White Robe Lodge Gr3 1600m

Wingatui Track: Good(4) Time: 1:35.02
1
Our Echo
- 8g Echoes Of Heaven (AUS) x Sakura Cluden (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: D B Frye Rdr: A Comignaghi 59
2
0.1
Perfect Scenario
- 7g Iffraaj (GB) x Rosetti Bay (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: S L Wynne 59
3
4.6
Matscot
- 7g Haradasun (AUS) x Bewarned (NZ) (Danske (NZ))
Tnr: Sharon Robertson & Alan Reeves Rdr: Joe Doyle 59
4
6.6
He's A Doozy
- 7g Zacinto (GB) x The Dewdrop (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 59
5
6.9
Richard Stomper
- 5g El Roca (AUS) x Optimiser (NZ) (Redwood (GB))
Tnr: Ms S Faulkner Rdr: Brandon May 59
6
7.4
Ears Back
- 6m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Makesmewonder (AUS) (Grass Wonder (USA))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: K R Hercock 57
7
7.7
Dazzling Miss
- 6m Proisir (AUS) x Dazzling (NZ) (Star Way (GB))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: K A Myers 57
8
8
Capo Dell Impero
- 7g Ghibellines (AUS) x Gallant Babe (NZ) (Gallant Guru (AUS))
Tnr: B & S Anderton Rdr: A C Goindasamy 59
9
8.2
Letsbringthebling
- 5m Shocking (AUS) x Let's Be A Star (AUS) (Zenno Rob Roy (JPN))
Tnr: Ainsley Mcleod Rdr: L T Hemi 57
10
9.2
Steal My Thunder
- 5m Derryn (AUS) x Frequente (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: W J Thurlow Rdr: C R Barnes 57
11
12
Harlech
- 8g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Obsession (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: Ms P Gerard Rdr: Ms K Williams 59
12
12.2
The Grey Goose
- 5m Reliable Man (GB) x Out Of The Barn (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: Jo Ann Gordon Rdr: Rohan Mudhoo 57
13
13.7
Bauble
- 6g Ghibellines (AUS) x La Gem (NZ) (Seasoned Star (AUS))
Tnr: B & S Anderton Rdr: C A Campbell 59
14
24.5
Master Marko
- 6g Contributer (IRE) x Miss Haydn (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: Billy Jacobson 59
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