Comeback a popular winner in Trentham opener

[Chief Stipe]

For New Zealand racing fans looking to Oaks day at Trentham today to provide any small boost following the horrors of yesterday’s Christchurch attacks, a popular result in the Thee Auld Floozie Premier got the afternoon off to the right start.

The favourite Comeback scored an easy win for two talented teenagers with bright futures in the sport – co-trainer Bailey Rogerson and apprentice jockey Shiarna Johnson.

It was also a timely result for Rogerson’s grandfather and training partner, the Hall of Fame inductee Graeme, who lost his mother during the week.

Comeback completed a Trentham double within the space of a week, having won impressively in Rating 72 grade last Saturday. The Makfi gelding went up to Rating 82 today, but the result was just the same.

After trailing stablemate Saignon through the early part of the race, Comeback took control in the straight. Sweepstake and Mikjene did their best to go with him, but Comeback showed clear superiority in the last 150 metres to win by a length and a quarter.

For Johnson, it was a fourth win in a riding career that began at Gisborne just last month. She had also ridden Comeback in last Saturday’s victory.

“To win at Trentham to Saturdays in a row has given me a lot of confidence,” the 19-year-old said. “I’m still just trying to learn as much as I can.

“This horse has been really good to me. He did it nicely today, he got a bit strong coming up to the turn, but he just did what he was asked down the straight.”

Bred and owned by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey, Comeback has now had 19 starts for five wins, nine placings and more than $92,000 in prize-money.

“He’s Mr Consistent,” Bailey Rogerson said. “He was able to take a sit today, but he raced a bit strongly and did a bit of work. So for him to come again in the straight the way he did, it was a good win.

“He’s had a few issues and is a bit of a day-to-day prospect, but he’s a horse on the up. He goes well at Ellerslie, so the Easter (Group Two, 1600m, April 20) might be worth a thought.”

Today’s 1400-metre opening event was run in 1:24.86 on a track rated Dead5.

The opening race featured an early scare inside the first 200 metres as Strolling Vagabond clipped heels and dislodged jockey Sam O’Malley. Both horse and rider were quickly to their feet and appeared to escape injury.

View the full article