Former northern galloper Witz End made his presence felt for new trainer Terri Rae when he scored the second win from just four starts from Rae’s Canterbury base when taking out the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Saturday.
The five-year-old gelding commenced his career for Tony Pike at his Cambridge stable before transferring to Rae late last year, finishing unplaced first-up in November before winning on the synthetic track at Riccarton three weeks later.
The son of Savabeel rounded out his 2025 year with a fifth-place finish in the Timaru Cup (1600m) in late December before being given a freshen-up in preparation for his first South Island stakes challenge on Saturday.
Rider Leah Hemi has forged a successful partnership with Rae in recent months and that continued as she gave Witz End a perfect trip in fourth before edging closer rounding the home bend.
As the field fanned out across the width of the Wingatui home straight, Witz End bounded to the front at the 200m before fending off another northern raider in Pour The Wine to win by a neat length with Say Satono making up good ground to claim third.
Hemi was pleased with the effort although she did have some concerns in the home straight.
“We got into a nice position and he travelled well up close to the pace,” Hemi said.
“When I pulled him out in the straight he did want to lay in a bit which made it a little difficult until I got him straightened up and balanced.
“He went to the line nicely and carried on past the post as well, so it was a nice honest effort.”
Witz End was always held in high regard by Pike and collected four wins from his stable while he was also placed in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m).
He has now won six races from 21 starts and more than $285,000 for a large group of owners that includes former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull and former jockey Leith Innes. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
