Riccarton treble makes perfect day for Robinson

[Chief Stipe]

Boots ’N’ All (Corey Campbell) completes a perfect day for Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson with a brave win over Tommy Tucker in the Hororata Gold Cup.

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson had plenty to celebrate at the completion of the racing action on his home track yesterday after producing a perfect three-from-three result.

Promising three-year-old Khimar War started the day off well when he stormed home late to snatch victory against his age group rivals over 1400 metres before two-year-old debutante Live Drama launched her career in style with an eye-catching run to win over 1000 metres.

Older stable star Boots ’N’ All made it a day to remember when he capitalised on a superb ride from apprentice Corey Campbell to land his tenth career victory in one of the day’s feature events, the Seaton Family Memorial Hororata Gold Cup.

Robinson was quick to heap praise on both Campbell and the six-year-old Perfectly Ready gelding after the event.

“That was just an absolutely perfect ride by Corey,” he said. “I told him before the race to be patient and not get to the leaders too early and he judged it to perfection.

“He (Boots ’N’ All) is just a little fella and he has been struggling a bit with the big weights. The two-kilogram claim made a big difference to him and once again he showed just how tough he is.

“He actually went a good race at Otaki last time on a really patchy track, although on paper the result doesn’t look that good.

“He finished less than a length off Consensus, who went out and won at Moonee Valley on Friday night, so that gave me a lot of confidence he could win as his work since then had been very good.”

Robinson had been contemplating a trip north for the Gr. 2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup for Boots ’N’ All, but may stick closer to home after yesterday’s victory.

“I had been thinking about the Awapuni Gold Cup but it would be his fourth trip north in this prep which might be a little too much for him,” he said. “I think the Canterbury Gold Cup next month might be a better option.”

Robinson is also predicting a big future for the two younger members of his team who got his day off to an impressive start.

“It was fantastic to see Khimar War finally get some luck and show just how good he can be,” he said. “Nothing has gone right for him as he has been checked or suffered bad luck in nearly every race he has had this campaign.

“I really think he can measure up next season so I will be recommending to his owners we give him a spell now and get him ready for the spring.

“It was also very satisfying to see Live Drama win on debut, as I’ve held her in high regard since the day we broke her in,” he said of the Ghibellines filly. “I think she will be right up there with the best three-year-olds around her next season.

“We will probably give her one more run this time in, then tip her out and get her ready for a race like the Canterbury Belle Stakes in the spring.”

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