Central Districts-based rider Kate Hercock pulled the right rein to ride at Ellerslie on Saturday when she guided Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) to victory in the Join TAB Racing Club (1200m).
The Mark Brosnan-prepared four-year-old was fresh up after last being seen when finishing towards the rear at Tauranga back in November.
Brosnan has plenty of faith in the ability of his charge, who was stepping up to open company for the first time and he didn’t disappoint as he found a powerful kick in the concluding stages to charge home along the rail and deny dual stakes winner Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) another victory before she heads to the spelling paddock.
Brosnan was a little apprehensive that the son of Shamexpress may have been found wanting in the final stages fresh-up and was delighted that scenario didn’t play out at the finish of a strongly run 1200m contest on the Soft 6 surface.
“I told Kate to ride him cold, ride for luck and she did just that,” Brosnan said.
“His last start he was a tired horse but fresh up today I thought he may have a little too fresh as he had just had the one jump out, but he is a nice horse.
“There isn’t a lot around for him at the moment so I’m not sure what we will do next.”
Hercock was suitably impressed with her mount in her first ride aboard him, predicting there were more wins in store.
“Mark thought he may have been a run short as he had missed a trial, so he said just let him find his feet, stay in and don’t try and go around them,” she said..
“He is a lovely horse who will go through the grades and despite being a run short he has beaten some nice horses today.
“I think it is only upwards for him.”
Raced by his breeders Gloria Macrae and Joanne McKeagg, Sterling Express has had fifteen starts for five wins and $140,625 in stakes earnings. He is a full-brother to four-race winner Grace ‘N’ Glory (NZ) (Shamexpress), with both horse out of useful racemare On Parole who won six races during her career on the track.