Annabelle Johnson had a day to remember at Pukekohe Park on Sunday, saddling two impressive winners from as many starters.
Commencing Johnson’s successful afternoon was Rightly So (NZ) (El Roca), the four-year-old contesting the Brighthill Farm Yearling Draft 1300 after a creditable fourth in her first raceday appearance under the Pukekohe Park trainer’s name.
The daughter of El Roca travelled comfortably midfield under Kozzi Asano and dashed down the inside part of the track to salute by a half-length over Saluto (NZ) (Ardrossan), a deserved maiden victory for the mare after previously recording seven minor placings from 10 attempts.
“I was very pleased with her run,” Johnson said.
“It was only her second start with me, I thought her first run was good so we thought she would go well on Sunday. She just needs to be ridden back and held up.”
Rightly So donned the familiar silks of breeder Gerry Harvey, as did stablemate Salonius (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who fittingly scored a second win on the day for Johnson in the El Roca At Karaka 1200.
In the hands of Kelly Myers, Salonius was taken into the front-running role by design and controlled the tempo inside of race favourite in Cornelia (NZ) (Swiss Ace). The Swiss Ace five-year-old maintained a solid pace rounding the turn and responded sharply under Myers’ urgings to stave off the late challenge of Marengo to win by a neck.
It was Salonius’ second victory from just the nine starts, and Johnson was pleased to see a change in tactics pay off after a challenging start to his campaign.
“I’ve had Salonius for quite a while, in his first run back this preparation the track didn’t suit him, and he’s better when ridden in front, so it was tough from the wide barrier draws,” she said.
“He jumped and led on Sunday, which is the way he likes to go, and he finished off well.”
Johnson’s association with Harvey originated in a pre-training role before several of the Westbury Stud owner’s racehorses remained in her stable to be prepared for raceday. Promising sprinter Savonoski produced several top performances for Johnson in recent seasons, being victorious in four of his nine starts before being exported to Australia.
“I’ll have to talk to Russell Warwick (Westbury Stud General Manager) and see what the plans are next for these two (Rightly So and Salonius), I’m not too sure yet,” she said.
“But it was a very satisfying day, I have a couple of girls that work with me so it was special for all of us.”
Johnson is also looking forward to having her daughter, former Champion jockey Danielle Johnson, back in New Zealand this week, as she attends the Karaka Yearling Sales with fiancé and Hong Kong trainer Jamie Richards, and their young baby Spencer.
“I have been able to get up to Hong Kong to see him, and Danielle is back in New Zealand this week for the Karaka Sales with Jamie which will be great,” Johnson said.
