The Hottie a dominant winner at Riccarton

[Wandering Eyes]

The Hottie (NZ) (Swiss Ace) produced an ideal prelude to next Saturday’s Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) with a dominant display down the chute at Riccarton Park on Saturday.

The mare’s Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson had initially planned on trialling her at Foxton on Tuesday before heading south for next weekend’s feature, but a decision to contest the Angus Meats Open Handicap (1200m) paid dividends.

In the hands of Courtney Barnes, The Hottie jumped positively from an inside draw (2), and remained in close quarters to the leaders in Emanon and Spartan, the latter closing a $3.10 race-favourite ahead of Patterson’s mare ($4.70).

Successful twice previously on soft ground, The Hottie had swept to the lead by the 200m in the rain-affected conditions, and put two-and-a-half lengths on well-performing mare The Radiant One and Spartan in a comprehensive winning effort.

Patterson was pleasantly surprised with the early speed from the daughter of Swiss Ace, and praised the efforts of Barnes.

“I wasn’t expecting her to be that handy, I just hoped she would finish the race off well ahead of going 1400m next week,” he said.

“It was a great ride, Courtney got her up in a good position as she’s normally a stride slow. She’s got a good affinity with our horses, and has good hands.

“I had planned to trial her at Foxton on Tuesday but thought we may as well run for money, so it was just a trial for her today, and definitely a good one.

“She got the job done, bring on next Saturday.”

Raced in the yellow-and-black silks of co-breeder and part-owner Eddie Bourke, The Hottie has earned $138,495 in stakes with five victories from 14 attempts.

Closer to his New Plymouth base, Patterson prepared talented gallopers The Fearless One and Contribute to fill the minor placings behind Group One-performer Lightning Jack in the Cavallo Farms & Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (1600m).

Patterson was pleased with their efforts considering that the track (Heavy 8) was not in favour of either, and confirmed Contribute will press onto the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) on April 27.

“Craig (Grylls, jockey) said the track was just too heavy for Contribute, but she’ll go up to the Travis Stakes and we’re looking forward to getting her back on a good track at Te Rapa,” he said.

“It was a good run by The Fearless One, because he doesn’t like the off ground either. We’ll pick out as good a track we can find in the early part of autumn and winter, then get ready for some nice staying races next year. He’s come back really good.”

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