New Stakes-winner for Rip Van Winkle

Media Release - Saturday April 20

Locally trained mare Lil Miss Swiss caused a major boil-over when she nabbed hot favourite Orepuki Lad in the shadows of the winning post to capture the Listed Carriers Arms Hotel Riverton Cup (2147m) on Saturday.

Lil Miss Swiss - Wild Range PhotographySent out at odds of $42, the Rip Van Winkle five-year-old was having her first start in open company for owner and trainer Kelvin Tyler, who prepares the mare in partnership with daughter Aimee.

Apprentice Tanya Jonker, who had won on the mare at her last start, produced a gem of a ride as she bided her time at the back of the field throughout before beginning a searching wide run as the field approached the home corner.

Punters who had installed Dunedin Gold Cup winner Orepuki Lad as the warm favourite were on good terms with themselves at this point as rider Leah Hemi took a wide berth on the home corner before forging to a clear lead with just 300m to run.

Lil Miss Swiss and Jonker were still four lengths behind the leader at that point but making up ground steadily along the outside fence. Lil Miss Swiss hit overdrive at the 100m and with three huge bounds she grabbed Orepuki Lad in the final stride to record the biggest victory of her career to date.

Jonker was beaming when interviewed, although she admitted she had mentally settled for second before the final placings were announced.

"I thought Leah (Hemi) and Orepuki Lad had got up," she said.

Advertisement

"I was just really happy with her (Lil Miss Swiss) performance and the way she pushed herself at the end (although) I didn't think I had got it.

"It's kind of her style and works for her when she gets a clear run. I just didn't know if she had the wheels to beat some of the really good horses in the race today.

"She's got a big heart and it paid off."

Lil Miss Swiss is the first foal of Flying Spur mare, Miss Swiss and was bred by Andrew Wong and Stephen Yan who, along with trainer Gary Hennessy, raced multiple Group One winner and now successful stallion, Ocean Park.

The win marked a red-letter day for the Tyler pairing who took out the opening event with two-year-old He's Got Power before closing off the third leg of a winning treble with Valetina Vittoria in the last race on the programme. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Maiden Wins G2 Eight Carat
The tag of New Zealand’s best maiden was emphatically stripped from the shoulders of exciting three-year-old Jennifer Eccles when she stormed past her female age group rivals to take out the Group II SKYCITY Eight Carat Classic (1600m) in the hands of visiting rider James McDonald.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Karaka Graduate Green Energy Finds Top Form
The Danny Shum-trained Green Energy, a New Zealand-bred son of Rip Van Winkle, returned from an eight-month injury absence to win Monday’s public holiday feature at Sha Tin, the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1200m).
Te Akau Shark Ready for Aussie Debut
Exciting New Zealand galloper Te Akau Shark will kick-off his spring campaign in Australia on Saturday where he will contest the Group II Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in front of some of his local owners, including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Captain Paul Gallen.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Subpoenaed Too Strong in the Millie Fox Stakes
Making her first start since disappointing in the Golden Eagle last October, the Chris Waller-trained Subpoenaed bounced back to form in Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.