Promising gelding Have A Crack retained his unbeaten New Zealand record with a gritty performance to take out the Rich Hill Stud (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The five-year-old son of Zoustar made his way to Chad Ormsby’s Matamata stable after losing his rider during his only start in Australia last year for trainer Simon Zahra.
Ormsby has worked hard on improving the manners of the horse and a trial win at Avondale over 1000m in June indicated he had plenty of ability. Taken to the synthetic track at Cambridge for his New Zealand debut, Have A Crack won the maiden 1300m contest with authority and lined up at Ellerslie with plenty of supporters backing him into a solid $4.20 favourite despite starting from barrier 11 in the 13-horse field.
Apprentice Tayla Mitchell got him away nicely to sit fourth in the early running before easing through a narrow gap early in the run home to take the lead. Navy Dreams chased hard over the final 200m however Have A Crack had plenty left to hold him out by half a length at the winning post.
Ormsby was thrilled his charge could take the step up to triumph at New Zealand racing headquarters after spending plenty of time getting his attitude right.
“We have never underestimated this horses’ ability and the perseverance of the owner and his team, who have gone the extra mile to get him here,” Ormsby said.
“He has just had some younger horse habits he couldn’t shake and now a little later in life and with some more practice involved, he is starting to piece it together.
“Tayla had to be brave from that draw and I just said to trust her horse. She got into a beautiful spot and it was a ten out of ten ride.”
Mitchell was quick to thank Ormsby for helping hone her skills in the saddle
“Chad told me to be brave and he has helped so much with my riding skills to take me to the next level,” she said.
“He has done lots of work with this horse, who didn’t really like racing in Aussie, but is starting to enjoy it now.
“He is a really nice horse and was probably waiting for them a little bit as I hit the front a little too soon. When he gets into better races he will be able to chase them down.”
Raced by Zahra, Have A Crack was bred by the China Horse Club Pty Ltd out of their race winning Sebring mare Cross Legend. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
