Comedy all business at Trentham

[Wandering Eyes]

Improving stayer Comedy (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) knocked off a Rating 75 victory at just the second time of asking with an impressive performance at Trentham on Saturday.

The Harvey Wilson-trained seven-year-old was among the better-backed runners in the Manawatu Toyota and John Turkington Forestry LTD 2100, but punters were picking a two-horse race between Gr.3 162^nd New Zealand Cup (3200m) hopefuls McKhan and Just Charlie, closing at $3.50 and $3.30 respectively.

Continuing his association with in-form apprentice jockey Liam Kauri, Comedy jumped well from barrier three and settled one off the fence in the back half of the field, while McKhan and Tai pushed forward to contest the early lead.

McKhan took up his usual pacemaking role and dictated the tempo in front, and while there was a host of chances turning for home, Comedy looked to be travelling sweetly for Kauri and found the front at the 200m.

The son of Mongolian Khan kept finding in the closing stages and powered through the line, while the favourite Just Charlie struggled to find clear air and was unable to challenge until late in the contest, finishing fourth with a strong So Call Me and Deadly Pony filling the placings.

Kauri, who has already ridden 12 winners in the seven weeks of the new season and is one victory off losing his three-kilogram claim, had been confident in his mount a long way from home.

“He was bolting a long way out and when I asked him to go, he didn’t want to stop,” he said. “He was strong through the line.

“I didn’t want to get buried on the fence, the way the track is playing you don’t want to get caught napping.”

The 26-year-old has guided Comedy to three wins and three placings from nine starts, and Wilson was pleased to see Saturday’s race pan out just as they had planned.

“He was in the perfect position, he’s better to be out a little bit and we were happy at the top of the straight,” Wilson said.

The Waverley horseman, also known for his prowess preparing jumpers, said schooling and farmwork had been involved in the gelding’s preparation, crediting his wife Ann with the success.

“He does a bit around the farm, he’s schooled a couple of times with Nicole Sinclair and he’s galloped well lately,” he said.

“Ann looks after him, I just do what I’m told and it works very well.”  

Bred by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd, Comedy has earned over $108,000 for the Wilsons with four victories and nine placings from 27 attempts.

View the full article