Seven-year-old gelding Prince Oz has been a revelation since joining the stable of Riccarton trainer Neill Ridley.
The
talented sprinter won his seventh race in succession for Ridley when proving
too strong for his rivals in the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards' Stakes Handicap
(1200m) at Riccarton.
The son of O'Reilly had only the one win to his name before transferring to Ridley's care from his part-owner and breeder Raymond Connors and has since gone unbeaten, with all seven victories from his new quarters over 1200m.
"He has bolted in, I'm very pleased," Ridley said. "He looked good and was well ridden.
"I've known the Connors for a long time and they said they had one they thought a bit of and it wasn't going very well, so could I have a go with it.
"What I've done I don't know, but it's working."
Terry Moseley, who has ridden Prince of Oz in all seven of his southern victories, was full of praise for the son of O'Reilly after the win.
"He's come of age with me," Moseley said. "He's been a sensational horse.
"I thought the track might have been just a bit firm for him, but he's a class act. He's been very aloof but every time you set him a task he just steps up."
Moseley was pleased with the early speed of the race set-up by race favourite Ferrando and was confident he was on the winning horse a fair way out.
"We got a really nice run and the speed was on," he said.
"I wasn't too worried where we ended up, I thought it was going to be a good genuine pace. We were held up for a stride by Passing Shot (down the straight), but we were always going to win after that.
"This is a very special horse." – NZ Racing Desk
