Kosciuszko hope

Man Of Peace (Zariz) continued his sparkling run of form with a further success in the ATC Thank You Jockeys’ H. at Randwick to put himself in line for another major pay day.

Trainer Matthew Dale has no doubt Man Of Peace can be competitive over 1200 metres in The Kosciuszko, a race restricted to country-trained horses chosen by winning ballot holders.

"Back to 1300 metres was as close as I could place him to have a look and I thought, if he can come out and won a quality race like this, then I'd put his hand up for a Kosciuszko and freshen him up for it," Dale said.

"I think he answered those questions. The best advertisement for The Kosciuszko is to win a race like that, then the rest will sort itself out."

Man Of Peace was ridden aggressively by Louise Day to lead and he stayed on too well to beat the favourite Kordia (Epaulette) to score by 2.3l.

Sherry salutes

Apprentice Tom Sherry celebrated his first metropolitan winner when he successfully combined with Fulmina (Snitzel) in the ATC Thank You Trainers H. at Randwick.

Trained by his boss Mark Newnham, the mare has been in grand form this preparation with three wins from five appearances.

“Young Tom has been under a little bit of pressure but he produced a 10 out of 10 ride. The mare handles wet ground and had a lightweight and she was dominant late,” Newnham said.

Rich vein of form

Inanup (Bon Hoffa) continued his impressive run of winter form with further success at Rosehill.

The 7-year-old overcame an interrupted passage to post a gallant victory in the ATC Thank You Stable Staff H.

“That was some win. He got into trouble at the start and was then held up halfway down the straight and still finished off, he hit the line beautifully,” trainer Jarrod Austin said.

Inanup finished runner-up in his campaign opener before winning at his previous start at Rosehill.

Million in sight

Mahamedeis (Magnus) pushed his stake earnings beyond $900,000 with his latest success at The Valley.

The Nick Ryan-trained stayer enjoyed a strong tempo in the Vale Rob Gaylard H. and came with the final run to edge out Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}).

“I’m really pumped, he’s been such a good horse and he’s banging on a $1 million. It was a truly run race and that’s what he wanted,” Ryan said.

“He was on the seven day back-up and I knew he would be strong late coming off that 2400 metre win.”

Fortunes turn around

South Australian trainers Richard and Chantal Jolly had a disappointing start to the day at The Valley, but ended on a high.

The father and son combination sent out favourite Theresabearinthere (Carrara) in the 3-year-old event, but he could only finish fourth.

Barnmate Dexelation (Ambidexter) boosted spirits late when he came out and won the Remembering Mikaela Claridge & Melanie Tyndall H.

Smart debut effort

Impressive triallist Show Bazz (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) made an eye-catching debut when he trounced his maiden rivals over 1200 metres at Ashburton on Saturday.

The 3-year-old had won a 1000 metre heat at Motukarara back in January and backed that up post the COVID-19 lockdown with another comfortable victory at Rangiora in June over 850 metres.

Co-trainer Kevin Hughes, who prepares the gelding with wife Pam, wasn’t keen to line his charge up on the heavy surfaces presented at their home base at Riccarton in recent weeks, preferring to wait for the Dead 6 on offer at Ashburton.

“You always hope that this is what they can do for you, but against the older horses you never know,” Hughes said. “We didn’t start him at home as it has been too heavy for him so we came here for the better track and it worked out nicely.

“Now he has had that win we can look at how we get him to the G1 2000 Guineas as the main aim.”

Stud celebrations

Wairarapa nursery Little Avondale Stud has added another major milestone to its rich history, celebrating 80 years of operation.

Founded as Te Parae Stud, the farm has passed down through three generations of the Williams family.

“This anniversary is a pretty special time for us, and it’s an occasion that we’re all very proud of,” Sam Williams said.

“We had a few locals around for a little get-together this week, including some long-time supporters of the farm and the family. We also had all of the members of the family who were around. We all toasted the occasion together, shared some stories and reminisced. It was really cool.

“We’re only caretakers of this land, and we love having the opportunity to work with horses. They’re amazing animals that have given so much to so many people, and it’s a privilege to care for them for a living.”

Flash performance

A gear change has brought out the best of Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), a brother to the multiple Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant (NZ).

Trainer Nick Bishara elected to take the headgear off the 6-year-old following a disappointing run at Te Rapa and the gelding responded with victory in the Red Barn Chef 1600 at Matamata.

“I put the blinkers on him to sharpen him up and I think it had the opposite effect,” Bishara said.

He prepared Verry Elleegant to win her first two starts and remained in the ownership when she was sold to clients of Chris Waller’s stable as a 3-year-old.

Perfect send-off

Kim Coxon couldn’t have scripted a better end to her current time as a licensed trainer when Tammie Wynette (NZ) (Tobique) provided her with the perfect farewell at Matamata on Saturday.

Coxon has handed in her trainer’s license as she prepares to move to the Te Puke region with fiancée James Taylor, where the pair will run a combined dry-stock and kiwifruit operation.

She has been training a small team in her own right at Matamata since her father Richard passed away after a battle with cancer five years ago.

“It was my last runner and it turned out absolutely perfectly,” Coxon said. “I was pretty confident as she had won third-up at her last two campaigns.

“She had improved in her gallops since her last run so I thought she would be hard to beat. She handles her racing really well so I think there is more in store for her.”