Big win for C Wightman, Team Green and Pivotal Ten

[Trojan]

2 minutes ago, Tragedy Beat said:

If they only try for the big races then isnt that bringing the game into disrepute?? Wow. Theyre worse than I thought. Thanks for the heads up.

Dumb arse.  They haven't wound up or brought out the best yet.  Why would you when all the action doesn't start until 5 weeks time!!!  Then goes on for another 8 weeks!!!

What you are seeing at the moment are either the second tier or newbies.

Some advice:  don't take up training.  

[Tragedy Beat]

But hang on David promises everyone success on a consistent basis. Or is that bullshit as well?

[curious]

And another nice win for CW.

Ears Back holds the challengers at bay and scores a tough win in the Timaru Cup.  Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images South)

Ears Back defies draw for Timaru Cup triumph

• 
• 

Richard Edmunds, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

28 December 2024

Neither a wide draw nor a talented field of rivals at Phar Lap Raceway on Saturday could stand in the way of Ears Back, who took her career earnings past $200,000 with a tenacious performance in the Craigmore Sustainable Holdings Timaru Cup (1600m).

The time-honoured $80,000 feature was the seventh win of a 31-race career for the Jakkalberry mare, who has placed on another five occasions and has banked $221,660. She has shown a particular affinity for the metric mile, where her 22 starts have produced six wins and five placings.

Ears Back arrived at Phar Lap Raceway on Saturday on a nine-race winless streak dating back to the Southland Stakes (1400m) at Ascot Park in February, but she had shown promising signs earlier this season with a pair of second placings at Ashburton in October and November. The six-year-old was checked in the straight when 10^th, only 2.7 lengths from the winner Kopua, in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on November 13, then struggled to see out the distance when a last-start sixth in Ascot Park’s Southland Crystals (2200m) on December 14.

The step back down to 1600m brought her back to the peak of her powers on Saturday, despite jumping from gate 12 in a 13-horse field.

Jockey Tina Comignaghi drove Ears Back forward from that wide barrier, sliding up into second spot within the first 100m of the race. She cruised around the track in the slipstream of the front-running The Radiant One before pouncing at the home turn and taking command.

Ears Back kicked away and stole a big break on the field with 200m remaining, and despite beginning to tire in the final few strides, she held all of her chasers at bay. Ears Back still had a length and a half up her sleeve at the line, with Jimmy Five, Tumuch and Richard Stomper filling the minor placings with two noses between them. The 1600m were run in a quick 1:34.80 on a Good4 track.

Ears Back is trained at Rangiora by John Blackadder, who also shares in the ownership.

“She’s really well named, Ears Back,” he said. “That’s her style and she’s a bit of a handful at times, but it’s all worth it, isn’t it?

“She was a bit of a disappointment up over ground last start, but we freshened her up after that and knew she was pretty well right. Today was the plan.

“She’s won six races over a mile now, so she loves that distance. It’s a really good result, thanks to a great ride by Tina. I have to thank all of the staff as well. I’m a bit overwhelmed, actually.”

The Timaru Cup was Comignaghi’s first raceday ride on Ears Back.

“I know that she’s always shown that sort of ability,” she said. “It was a strong field today, so it was a good effort to beat them the way she did.

“She kicked at the turn and I was hoping they wouldn’t be able to catch me before the line. She kept trying so hard and held on well.

“John Blackadder does a good job with his horses, and he’s got a very nice mare on his hands here.”

One of the only things missing from Ears Back’s CV is black type, with the Timaru Cup having lost its Listed status last season. Ears Back finished a close fourth in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui in February, beaten by less than two lengths by Perfect Scenario, Dazzling Miss and Times Ticking, and that Otago showpiece again holds appeal as a potential target later in the season.

[Trojan]

10 hours ago, curious said:

Never known him to run for cover. Do you have an example?

Kevin Morton didn't hide.

Wightman can't be that bright if he has to go on a Facebook forum to ask how does the Kiwi B Slot race work!  Oh that's right that's just a segue to him talking about himself.

[Tragedy Beat]

Good on him because that slot race crap is the biggest have ever. Probably forced on NZR by the likes of Ellis because he needs more attention. Boldly spouted on the other day about the horse TA had "bought" and then duly watched it run a long way off the first 2. No class at all.

[curious]

14 hours ago, Trojan said:

Kevin Morton didn't hide.

Wightman can't be that bright if he has to go on a Facebook forum to ask how does the Kiwi B Slot race work!  Oh that's right that's just a segue to him talking about himself.

Not sure what Morty has to do with it? You didn't answer my question about where CW has run and hid?

[Tragedy Beat]

Oh and Colin just had another winner....at Wanganui this time.  Well done to him. He'll have to put that on social media TA style.

[Trojan]

2 hours ago, curious said:

Not sure what Morty has to do with it? You didn't answer my question about where CW has run and hid?

Didn't he hand in his license so he couldn't be done?

[Trojan]

42 minutes ago, Tragedy Beat said:

Oh and Colin just had another winner....at Wanganui this time.  Well done to him. He'll have to put that on social media TA style.

The difference is Te Akau have their own sites - Wightman pollutes everyone elses with his self-gratification.  

[curious]

57 minutes ago, Trojan said:

Didn't he hand in his license so he couldn't be done?

Or. so he couldn't be bullied more likely. Don't think he hid.

[Trojan]

13 minutes ago, curious said:

Or. so he couldn't be bullied more likely. Don't think he hid.

Or he was gutless and all talk. Instead he sits on the sidelines now sniping and bullying at all and sundry.

[curious]

13 minutes ago, Trojan said:

Or he was gutless and all talk. Instead he sits on the sidelines now sniping and bullying at all and sundry.

That's hardly running and hiding.

[curious]

[Newmarket]

The amount of owners that get sucked  in by Ellis…. everybody mentions his few top horses, but forgets about the many hundreds owners buy for big money. His second tier nags could hardly keep up at Ashburton yesterday, did get one winner but overall crap

[curious]

8 minutes ago, curious said:

A $9000 Gavelhouse purchase last year.

[curious]

4 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

The amount of owners that get sucked  in by Ellis…. everybody mentions his few top horses, but forgets about the many hundreds owners buy for big money. His second tier nags could hardly keep up at Ashburton yesterday, did get one winner but overall crap

Except the races were at Timaru, not Ashburton.

[The Centaur]

1 hour ago, Trojan said:

Or he was gutless and all talk. Instead he sits on the sidelines now sniping and bullying at all and sundry.

You obviously have a good mirror but have some intelligence it is you in the mirror.

I actually feel sorry for you as one of those that sucked in by the decade long campaign by L. Molloy against Wightman. Although it may have had elements of humour it was overall bizarre. Although Wightman gave back plenty against Molloy nevertheless there was no reasoning or justification. 

Keeping up or resurrecting the campaign gives you no credit but just shows how naive and brainless you seem to be.

[Trojan]

1 hour ago, The Centaur said:

You obviously have a good mirror but have some intelligence it is you in the mirror.

Really since when have I labelled most of the successful in the industry as "troughers with gravy dripping from their chins" or called anyone who disagrees and "OBC apologist"? 

1 hour ago, The Centaur said:

I actually feel sorry for you as one of those that sucked in by the decade long campaign by L. Molloy against Wightman.

FFS why would I listen to Molloy or even let him affect my opinion?  I form my own opinions based on my own experiences.  I've read Wightmans written diarrhea for decades.  He never follows through and spends most of his time tallking about himself!!!  As for the Molloy and Wightman feud they're equal protagonists in that one!

1 hour ago, The Centaur said:

Keeping up or resurrecting the campaign gives you no credit but just shows how naive and brainless you seem to be.

Who is brainless?  Wightman is still doing it!  Quite frankly the industry would be better without him.

[Chief Stipe]

Wightman does have an account here.  Something about @Transparency !!!!