After starting the season as a maiden, in-form Matamata visitor Channel Surfer will chase a deserved stakes title to complete his four-year-old year at Trentham on Saturday in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m).
The son of Derryn raced in top company as a three-year-old, including placings in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and the Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m), and has continued to perform into this term, highlighted by an eye-catching run for third in the Group 3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m), only being outshone by his stablemate Snazzytavi.
Graham Richardson, who trains the gelding in partnership with Rogan Norvall, believes he has continued to thrive after the Te Rapa feature, and deserves his place in Saturday’s field.
“His run in the Easter was very good, he’s come from a long way back and he’s really whacked away well in a strong race. He deserves a go at the Rangitikei Gold Cup because of that,” he said.
“He just keeps getting better and better, he’s as tough as nails and thrives on racing.”
Wiremu Pinn has been engaged for the ride, with Channel Surfer sitting among 12 horses on the 53kg minimum, and drew the ace barrier.
“The draw is an advantage, but it just depends on how wet the track is on Saturday,” Richardson said.
“It’s his last run, and I know I’ll be tipping him out for a little while and getting ready for the early spring races.”
Richardson purchased the four-year-old at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales in 2021 and has enjoyed maintaining a share in the $201,000 earner.
“It’s nice to have shares in nice horses like him, and horses like Therapeutic and Sorghaghtani,” he said.
The latter, a mare by Mongolian Khan, has accepted for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, alongside stablemate and impressive last-start winner Darci’s Angel.
“She’s (Sorghaghtani) a very genuine mare, she may run at Taupo (next Wednesday) instead of Saturday though. Either way, she is very well in herself,” Richardson said.
“Darci’s Angel’s work on Tuesday was very good, she’s not a big filly so she’s carrying a bit of weight with the 58kg but has a gun rider on board (Opie Bosson). I’m very happy with that.
“She’s also a very genuine horse, she wants cut in the ground, but not overboard.”
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