Consistent galloper Orlov (NZ) (Sweynesse) picked up his ninth career victory when he took out the feature event on the Wanganui card, the Carpet Maintenance & Cleaning Open (2040m), in the process providing trainer David Haworth with a winning double on the day.
The seven-year-old son of Sweynesse had enjoyed a purple patch of form towards the end of his autumn campaign last season and early in his current preparation he was narrowly beaten by Group One performer Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) in the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m).
Unplaced at his next three starts he bounced back to winning form with a vengeance on Saturday as he produced a strong staying effort to down race favourite Tshiebwe (NZ) (Tarzino) in a dour struggle over the final 300m of the contest.
Rider Kate Hercock, who had earlier scored aboard the promising Cut Loose (NZ) (Derryn) for Haworth in the second race on the card, was content to bide her time third last in the field of seven runners before setting out after pacemakers Tshiebwe, Kick On (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Heart Of Gold (NZ) (Niagra) who had poured the pressure on at the 600m.
Despite giving Tshiebwe 6kgs in the handicap, Orlov proved too good for his lighter weighted rival in the concluding stages, winning by a comfortable length with Duncan Creek (NZ) (Super Easy) battling on well for third.
Haworth had been looking for an improved performance from his charge although he had been prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt at his last two unplaced runs which were over 1600m, a distance unsuited to the stayer.
“He won well today and we’re very pleased with him,” Haworth said.
“His work at home had been good and I was quietly confident of a good showing.
“We just haven’t been able to get a suitable race for him as the races have been called off a few times, so back to a track he likes and over a bit more ground, I was expecting to see him in the finish.”
The two victories also took Haworth’s overall career record to 495 wins and tantalisingly close to the coveted 500-win milestone, something he is keen to achieve.
“Five hundred wins is something I really want to do and I’m keen to tick that goal off as soon as I can,” he said.
“I’ve only got five in work at the moment but I think both of the horses that won today have more in store in the next couple of months, so hopefully they can get me even closer to that target.”
Orlov is raced by a group including his trainer, who co-bred him, and is the first foal of Diamond Cut (NZ), a daughter of Guillotine, who won four races in a truncated 13-start career that was curtailed by injury.
He comes from an extended family that includes multiple Australian Group One winner Stony Bay (Dahar) while he also traces back to outstanding gallopers Romanee Conti (NZ) (Sir Tristram), Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel) and champion New Zealand two and three-year-old Darci Brahma who went on to a stellar career at stud following his outstanding racetrack performances.
Orlov has now won nine of his 39 starts and just under $215,000 in prizemoney.
