A victory by the Steven Cole-trained Magneto (NZ) (Showcasing) in the opening race at Ruakaka on Saturday brought some joy into the lives of his connections following an untimely death in the family.
The former Gr.2 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) winner is raced by Cole’s father David and Kelvin Doidge, who is the husband of Haunui Farm’s longtime Sales and Marketing Manager Shannon Taylor.
Taylor’s father Bruce, a well-known Pukekohe identity, had been laid to rest on Friday after his untimely death earlier in the week, with Magneto’s rider Ryan Elliot wearing a black armband to recognise his passing.
Magneto capped some consistent form of late with an impressive performance after he sat outside pacemaker Golden Hue (NZ) (Zacinto) throughout before asserting his superiority in the home straight to race to a comfortable three-quarters of a length victory.
Cole was delighted to secure the win and to see the former handy juvenile return to somewhere near his best.
“It’s been a tough week for Kelvin, Shannon and her family so to get that win was quite special,” he said.
“We thought if he (Magneto) could get a good run he would be tough to beat as he was stuck three wide last time and fought on very strongly to finish fourth.
“It’s good to see him bounce back as that was only his third start in this prep after we had to put him aside when he pulled up sore after finishing last at Ellerslie back in January.
“I was also pleased with the way he ran through the line which is encouraging if we decide to step him up over further than 1200m in the future.
“He can have a couple of weeks in the paddock now and then we will set him for one of the undercard races during the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.”
Cole was also delighted with the run of stablemate Mighty Bright (Power) who made up many lengths in the home straight to finish third in the ITM/GIB 2YO Winter Championship Series final (1200m).
“Mighty Bright went a super race as he copped a couple of bad checks during the running and was back last at the 600m on a day where they were winning off the front,” Cole said.
“He got to the line very strongly and was one of the runs of the race.
“He is also going to have a short break now and then we will try and win a maiden with him before we tackle the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) at Hastings.
“He is still probably six months away from his best, so we think he has a bit of a future ahead of him.”
Cole also reported that handy Sydney performer New Arrangement had been purchased out of Chris Waller’s Sydney stable and would be syndicated amongst Cole’s client base before being set for several black type assignments in New Zealand over the spring and summer months.