Ramhit wins big for parents

[Wandering Eyes]

It was an emotional moment at Wingatui on Saturday for Vicky Ramhit, with the Timaru trainer rewarding his parents for their support with a big winner’s cheque followingAladdins Jem’s (NZ)(Satono Aladdin) victory in the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m).

Ramhit shares in the ownership of the mare with a small group, including his parents, Jagdish and Pratibha Ramhit, and they have enjoyed a fruitful run with the daughter of Satono Aladdin, including victory over 1400m during New Zealand Cup Week.

Her last start win at Wingatui last month qualified her for the ODT Southern Mile Final and Ramhit was hopeful she would continue her good run of form in the rich feature.

However, she was given no favours from her wide alley and leading South Island hoop Tina Comignaghi was forced to ride her for luck at the back of the pack.

Turning for home she still had all before her and what looked to be an impenetrable wall of horses, but Comignaghi kept the faith, gaps opened, and her charge was able to burst through them, appearing late on the scene to capture victory by three-quarters of a length over Our Approval (NZ) (Ghibellines).

“She is a gem, she is something else this horse,” Comignaghi said.

“I was flat at the back of the field so I thought I would take my chances and ride for luck, the gaps opened and she burst through them.

“He (Ramhit) is a great trainer, a good friend of mine, so I am super happy for him to get this win.”

Ramhit, who is now training in a solo capacity after partnerships with John and Karen Parsons, and Bruce Tapper, was rapt to get the victory, particularly for his parents, and he was full of praise for Comignaghi’s ride.

“She’s the first horse since I have been training that Mum and Dad own,” he said. “It’s very special.

“She is a very good mare. I have given her a lot of time because she takes heaps of time to back-up after a race.

“She (Comignaghi) is a talented jockey, I didn’t say anything to her, she knows what she is doing.”

Ramhit hasn’t made any set plans with Aladdins Jem but said he will savour the win over the coming days before sitting down and hashing a plan.

“I will get home and give it two days and then decide what to do with her,” he said.

Bred by Okaharau Station, Aladdins Jem is out of Keepaflight (NZ), a half-sister to Group One performer Cog Hill (NZ) (Star Way). She initially had three starts for Wexford Stables before being offered on gavelhouse.com where she was purchased by Ramhit for $11,500.

She has gone on to win three of her five starts for the South Canterbury horseman and accrued more than $170,000 in prizemoney.

The ODT Southern Mile Final goes to Aladdins Jem

The Vicky Ramhit trained Mare gets the job done in the hands of Tina Comignaghi.

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— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) February 28, 2026

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