By Tayler Strong
Graeme and Caryl Telfer had their day in the sun at Oamaru on Wednesday, winning with their two horses, Boomer Bailey and Red Hot Poker. Boomer Bailey enhanced the occasion with a track record.
It was the first time the Telfers had won two races in a day since Graeme was licensed to train in 2002.
“It is a big thrill,’’ said Caryl.
The Telfers rarely have more than one horse racing on a day. They have six horses in work on their 12 hectare property at Claremont, west of Timaru.
The pacer Boomer Bailey and trotter Red Hot Poker are both raced on lease from Ashburton breeders Bevan and Keith Grice.
Boomer ran his rivals ragged in 3.11.5 for the 2600m from the mobile gate. He scorched the last 800m in 54.9 and held out favourite Cable Beach by three quarters of a length. Boomer Bailey has now won eight races and $62,531 in stakes. His time was 0.3 inside the track record set by Torrid Bromac as a 3yr-old in May. Boomer Bailey is a 6-year-old who has won four of his races, including one on the grass, at Oamaru.
Red Hot Poker won a C0 trot by five and three quarter lengths. He is a powerful 4-year-old by The Pres from Jasmyne (Sundon – Janetta’s Pride), a winning sister to highly performed trotters Dependable, Jo Anne, Ima Gold Digger and Shirley Temple.
The 3-year-old Nearis Green set a track record for all ages when he won a Co pace in 2.30.5 for 2000m from a standing start. The previous mark was 2.30.7 set by Countess Kala 17 1/2 years ago.
The John Hay-trained and driven Nearis Green capped minor placings in four starts when he led over the last 1600m. A son of American Ideal – Uroc M’Lady he is raced by Hay with Owen and Sharyn Wylie, of Ashburton, Dennis James and “Sooty” Moffett, of Christchurch. The same owners won three races with Uroc M’Lady.
The 3yr-old Hilarious Magic returned a brave performance to clear maiden ranks. The Rocknroll Hanover – Hilarious Leigh colt is trained by Paul Court for Mark Dyer, of Christchurch. Hilarious Magic was bought by Mr Dyer after being passed in for $30,000 at the premier yearling sale.
Expresso Martini was transferred to the East Taieri stable of Martin Denton after being claimed for $6000. He led over the last 2000m of 2600m. Expresso Martini won 10 races for the Met Eight syndicate, who were out in force top see his win on Wednesday. The claimant after a draw with three others was Tony Gow, of East Taieri, who is in the ownership of Eamon Maguire, the 3yr-old who won the previous race stylishly. Eamon Maguire was three back on the inner until the 350m then charged home to win by a length and a quarter.
Expresso Martini has been trained on the beach for his last seven wins by Graeme Anderson, who has Eamon Maguire.
Dexter Dunn drove the two Telfer-trained winners in addition to Eamon Maguire and Expresso Martini. He is now on 78 wins for the season, three behind premiership leader Blair Orange.
Lilac Reign came from last at the 400m in a nine-horse field to clear maiden ranks. The 4yr-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight – Lilac Splash, driven by Jessica Young, is trained by Dean Taylor for Andrew Grant and Wayne Frampton. She is the first foal of Lilac Splash, who won three races.
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