Waipukurau-based Steve and Kirsty Lawrence found themselves on the big stage again over the weekend when gavelhouse New Zealand purchase Pep Torque notched up his fourth career win in the $30,000 Hardy Trade Premier over 1600m at Trentham.
Purchased in June 2017 as an unraced horse for
$2,600 by the husband and wife, the five-year-old Nadeem gelding lifted his
earnings over $72,000 with four wins and four placings – eight times his
purchase price.
After a bit of rain earlier in the week the track was a Dead 5 but was downgraded to a Dead 6 after the first race.
"He hasn't really run on ground like that before so we weren't too sure how he was going to handle it," commented Steve Lawrence.
With apprentice jockey Charlotte O'Beirne back in the saddle with a 3kg claim, the pair jumped to settle mid-field. At the 600m mark Pep Torque began his run, sitting five wide turning into the home straight, the pair dug deep to find another gear.
In the final 200m, Pep Torque continued to lift and run down the leader.
"We had a talk with Charlotte and the plan was to get him out to the better ground in the middle of the track," Lawrence said.
Looking for the better ground looks to have paid off, winning clear of the field by almost half a length.
"He has won three of his four career wins at Trentham and they were over the same 1600m trip.
"We've had a few people ask what our plans are with him going forward, he's so well we will just see what pops up.
"When he's ready for a spell he'll let us know, but don't be surprised if you see him at Tauranga on the weekend seeing as he backs up so well."
The latest New Zealand auction is set to close tonight from 7pm starting with Lot 1, with 58 Lots in the catalogue 25 Lots have met their reserves. Register online now to bid or phone +64 9 296 4436 for assistance.
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