Idyllic (No Nay Never) marked the start of a new era for the father-son training partnership of Kevin and Stephen Gray when she powered to victory in the Autogroom – Kooltintz (1000m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday.
The Gray’s prepared over 400 winners together in New Zealand between 1987-2000, before Stephen obtained a trainer’s license in Singapore, where he would spend the next 24 years, establishing himself among the top trainers in the competitive jurisdiction.
Gray returned to his homeland earlier this year after the announcement that racing would cease in Singapore in October, and in doing so, reunited with his father, who trains out of Copper Belt Lodge in Palmerston North.
A daughter of No Nay Never, Idyllic performed consistently through her five-year-old season and appeared in a fresh state for the sprint contest, where she started second-favourite ($4.30) behind Bedtime Story ($3.60). The mare showed her customary early pace to sit on the speed inside of Swazi and was cruising into the home straight, and while Bedtime Story and Fashion Icon chased gamely, they couldn’t catch her as she powered through the line to score by 1 – ¼ lengths under Kate Hercock.
The Grays were pleased with the performance, particularly as the heavy track conditions weren’t entirely suited to Idyllic.
“It was good, Dad and I thought she’d run really well as she’s pretty sharp, and her fresh-up record is very good,” Stephen Gray said.
“We were just worried about the soft to heavy track, so I thought it was a good effort, especially as she was taken on early. She fought them off and was going away at the line, so we’re pretty happy.
“She’s a good galloper, a year older and has come back a lot stronger and more relaxed.”
The success was Idyllic’s fourth in 16 starts, and with black-type on their radar, her trainers are considering an opportunity at stakes level in the near future.
“The owners understandably are looking for black-type as she is a mare, and it can be quite hard to find those short-distance sprint races, so there is a race at Counties that may suit her,” Gray said.
“We may nominate her for there and have a look, but otherwise, we’ll keep going through the grades and see what we can find.
“It’s important to get the black-type because she is a well-bred mare, and she’s very quick. She’ll have a good future as a broodmare.”
While the Grays have an incredible record with a multitude of winners up to Group One level to their credit, they were rapt to get on the board in the new season.
“It was really good, it’s like going back 24 years,” Stephen Gray said.
“At the end of the day, it’s what it’s all about, so it was nice to go there and have a winner together again. I’m fortunate that Dad and Mum are still around to be able to enjoy it together, and that’s one of the reasons why I came back.
“We’ve all trained plenty of winners, but there’s always a good story in each one.
“I’ve come back and been involved with Dad and the farm, and I’m really happy. He has good staff and some great owners, including John Cameron from New Zealand Bloodstock who races this horse (Idyllic). Dad and John have been good friends for many years, so it was really nice to have our first winner for him.
“We probably do things a little bit differently, but it’s much the same really, trying to get the horses fit and keep them happy.”
