Megablast Wins G2 Easter Handicap

Media Release - Saturday April 21

Local trainer Nigel Tiley achieved a perfect result on his home patch when he provided the quinella in the day's feature event, the Group II Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).

Megablast - Trish DunnellIn a masterful training performance Tiley produced talented stayer Megablast fresh-up off a six-month break to score a decisive victory from stablemate Brighton with the well fancied Romancer battling strongly into third.

Media reports during the week indicated Tiley was bullish about the prospects of Megablast who hadn't raced since finishing midfield in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) back in October. That confidence was borne out of the six-year-olds impressive fresh-up statistics that included a victory over the same distance at Ellerslie to commence his last campaign plus his ability to handle rain-affected tracks.

"Everything fell into place for him as he's a horse who races well fresh," said Tiley as he accepted congratulations after the race.

"I wanted to get him ready first-up as I thought he could do it.

"When he first came back into work he was a different horse, just so much stronger, so this was always the plan."

Tiley was also rapt with the performance of Brighton who coincidentally had won one of the day's other feature events, the Listed Diamond Lodge Champagne Stakes (1600m), as a two-year-old back in 2015.

"He's (Brighton) flying," he said.

Advertisement

"He hasn't shown anything on a wet track for a while, but he had been working well."

Tiley will now recommend a Queensland campaign for Megablast although he admitted he hadn't discussed that eventuality with gelding's owners before the race.

"I think we might have to go to Queensland on that," he said.

"I haven't discussed it with the owner's yet, but I'll get them now.

"He's such an honest horse that just eats wet tracks but also tries so hard on top of the ground."

With the victory Megablast advanced his career record to nine wins from just 28 starts with close to $270,000 in stakes earnings. – NZ Racing Desk



Advertisment
More Reading...
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Kiwi Trainer Collects a Unique Double
Riccarton horseman Andrew Carston collected a winning double at his local synthetic meeting on Thursday, firstly as an owner and later as a trainer.