A perfectly judged front-running victory on Just Charlie in the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) capped a memorable New Zealand riding debut at Riccarton on Saturday for apprentice jockey Logan Bates.
Surprisingly having never won an elite level race in his home state before, Clayton Douglas’ star sprinter Giga Kick added the $3m Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m) to his two previous Group 1 victories.