The Waipukurau-based horseman, an accomplished equestrian rider, produced the lightly-tried 8-year-old to win the G3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup and the seventh victory of his 17-start career.
Wilson bought Dez as an unraced 2-year-old in a private deal from his neighbours and races him with friends Sam Lennox, who also trains a small team at Waverley, and Paul Mitchell.
The partners had every reason to think they had something a bit special on their hands when he won on debut as a late 3-year-old and followed up with another success before running fourth.
Dez (NZ) (inner) claiming the Group 3 Winter Cup
Dez then suffered a tendon injury and was side-lined for nearly three years before Wilson’s conditioning skills were again evident when the horse returned to win first up over 1600 metres.
Five starts later they trekked to the South Island and the gelding finished third in last year’s Winter Cup and returned on Saturday to lift the title.
“We’ve had a few problems along the way, but they are all sorted out now and he hit form at the right time,” said Wilson, who trains Dez almost exclusively on his farm.
“We’ve had a few problems along the way, but they are all sorted out now and he hit form at the right time.” – Simon Wilson.
“I was really happy with him going into the race. He was eating well and he travelled well and being by Zed I knew he would handle the conditions.”
The only problem Wilson had at Riccarton was picking up his horse in the running.
“I actually can’t see that well and I’m a bit colour blind so I didn’t really get a good look at him,” he said.
Jockey Chris Johnson
Dez settled in midfield before experienced rider Chris Johnson started picking a path through the field. They finished resolutely to master a gallant Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood {NZ}), who was conceding the winner three and a-half kilos, close to the line.
Flying Sardine (Flying Spur) boxed on for third ahead of Red Sierra (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) who did an outstanding job to finish so close after bombing the start.
“It was great to have such a good local rider up, it was a fantastic ride by Chris,” Wilson said.
“It was great to have such a good local rider up, it was a fantastic ride by Chris.” - Simon Wilson.
Johnson, still going strong at 55, said he had few worries during the race and the heavy conditions were of no concern.
“He travelled nicely during the race and when we moved up to second half-way down the straight he was flat out, but lifted the last bit.”
Johnson had ridden a number of the cup contenders at their most recent starts, including a victory aboard Dez in his lead-in run at Otaki, and was confident he had pulled the right rein.
Winning connections of Dez (NZ)
“He’s had a few issues, but I had a look back at his run last year and that was huge. On his last start he looked like he was back in that sort of form,” he said.
Testament to Johnson’s longevity in the saddle is that he last won the Winter Cup aboard Robyn’s Affair (NZ) (Foreign Affair {USA}), who was trained by Brent Thompson’s late father Kevin, back in 1991.
Dez is the only foal of Black Falcon (Felix The Cat {USA}) to race and she is out of Falcons Wing (NZ) (Star Way {GB}), a half-sister to the former champion New Zealand juvenile and G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner Scotch And Dry (Whiskey Road {USA}). It’s also the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner and successful sire Baguette (Rego {Ire}).
