Te Akau rider Shafiq Rusof celebrated his first New Zealand black type victory on Saturday with a polished display aboard the stable runner Our Abbadean.
The 31-year-old brought the five-year-old
with a well-timed finish at Te Rapa to win the Group II Travis Stakes from China
Star and Nicoletta.
Rusof returned to Matamata this season after riding for Mark Walker for seven years in Singapore where he was twice crowned champion apprentice.
"It's a big thrill and Te Akau have supported me from day one," he said.
Our Abbadean is trained by Jamie Richards and Stephen Autridge and the former was lavish in his praise for Rusof.
"He's a very under-rated rider. He came from Singapore and when you are competitive against the likes of Michael Rodd, Joao Moreira and Vlad Duric it speaks volumes," he said.
"He's a hard worker and he's riding a lot of winners for us."
Raced by breeders Wentwood Grange, Our Abbadean settled midfield on a good pace and finished resolutely to add the Travis to her Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) title claimed three runs back.
In between times, the daughter of Lookin At Lucky ran second in the Listed Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m).
"The key has been getting her up in trip, she's a genuine stayer," Richards said. "She's rock-hard fit and is getting deep into her preparation now.
"We've been pleased with her right the way through and as Stephen said, once she finds form she holds it.
"We'll talk to the owners now, but we would love to give her a break and then come back for Hastings in the spring. I think that race (the Gr.1 Livamol Classic over 2040m) on the last day would be right up her alley." – NZ Racing Desk.
