Home double for Ballymore Stables

[Wandering Eyes]

Apprentice jockey Joe Nishizuka was all smiles after winning aboard Step In Time at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Ballymore Stables had a pleasing day at their home track of Matamata on Wednesday, recording a winning double, with stable apprentice Joe Nishizuka also notching his first victory for the barn.

Mineshaft opened the stable’s account with a long neck victory over the Debbie Sweeney-trained Ranger in the Team Wealleans 1600, while two races later Step In Time broke through for his maiden win in the Winter Race Day 5th June 1600.

Owned by Deirdre Neville-White and Ballymore Stables, who share a long history together, Step In Time was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased for $45,000 out of Highden Park’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Sale draft.

Immediately following the win, Pam Gerard received a call from training partner Mike Moroney, who is recuperating in Melbourne hospital, and he was thrilled with the result.

“Mike loves winning races on the home course at Matamata, and Deirdre (Neville-White), whose colours he wears, has been a massive supporter for a long time,” Gerard said.

“It was great to get Joe (Nishizuka) on the board with a win for Ballymore. He’s been working really hard and he’s a young jockey with a lot of potential. He’s super excited and he rode the horse perfectly.

“Step In Time was really good at 1400m last start and he’s come back in this prep as a different horse.

“He wants 2000m, ultimately, like so many of the family, and he’s in at the right time of year because there is wet track from there.

“He’s just taken time and we’ll probably give him another mile on the back of what he did today.

“I’ve always liked him, but he used to go to the races and absolutely drip with sweat, and he’s just taken time to work it out.”

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing riding mentor Noel Harris was full of praise for Nishizuka following the race.

“Joe followed the instructions that Pam asked him to, and to win like that will give him so much confidence,” Harris said.

“He jumped the horse out well, slowly improved his spot on the rail, and he rode him out really well.

“Iain and Betty (Marks) did plenty of work with Joe, getting him up to the stage of riding a winner and supported him beautifully.

“He had an injury, which has reset him, and he’s gone into a stable (Ballymore) with more opportunities and Pam (Gerard) is doing a really good job with him.

“There is a lot of pressure on the apprentices in their first year, but Joe has a good disposition and the type of kid that is really passionate about what he’s doing.”

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