by Brigette Solomon
Ngauruhoe won the Grant Plumbing Wellington Cup today at Otaki giving trainer Michael House his fourth consecutive win of the Cup.
Driven today by House’s son Wilson, Ngauruhoe started off 30 metres and stepped away well to settle well back one off the fence. With 800 left to travel, the tiring Cashem forced House three wide and from there he progressed and hit the front with 200 metres to run. The gelding fought on well when challenged by the 2nd placed Slainte to take the win by a head.
“His run on Tuesday was good so I was fairly confident going into the race today” says House “He tries hard and is pretty safe and deserved the win.”
Alongside their Cup win, the father and son combination scored a treble with their other two winners coming by way of Avenger in Race 2, and Amelia Rose in Race 4 giving her two wins in a row since joining the House stable.
“Avenger did a bit of work in the race to win well” says House “he was another who went a good race on Tuesday” says House.
Amelia Rose, who started favourite, was boxed in four back on the rail throughout the race with House only being able to get out in the open upon turning into the home straight. From there she ran down the second placed Santanna Mach, also trained by House, to win by a head.
“Amelia Rose’s win on Tuesday was penalty free so she went into the race here competing against the same grade of horses again” says House “All the horses went well today and I was stoked to get a treble.”
In the American Me Otaki Cup it was Village Rebel who was once again too good. Trainer Nicky Chilcott was confident the gelding by Raging Bull would relish the 3000 metre trip and his 40 metre handicap posed no issue.
It was the second Country Cup win for the five year old gelding and his seventh win from just 21 starts.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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