Evergreen galloper Pep Torque will return to the races after more than a year off the scene at New Plymouth on Saturday.
An 11-year-old by Nadeem, Pep Torque has been an incredibly consistent campaigner for trainer and part-owner Kirsty Lawrence, collecting 10 wins and 24 minor placings, and accumulating more than $328,000 in stakes earnings.
He earned a deserved stakes victory when winning the 2022 Listed Fielding Gold Cup (2100m) and had continued that form into the following season, before finishing third in the Wairoa Cup (2100m) last February, where he was galloped on and ruled out for the remainder of his campaign.
Lawrence was not hesitant to retire Pep Torque after the injury if his enthusiasm for racing had faded, but the gelding indicated he is still full of running with a strong trial behind Rusty Lane and He’s Lucid at Waipukurau last month.
“He got galloped on quite badly in the Wairoa Cup last year and no matter which way we went, he was going become a riding horse at some point,” she said.
“He’s been in work for nine months, he’s been rehabbed and then more recently had a jump-out and a trial and been good as gold. He ran a very nice third at the trials over 1200m and showed he still wants to be around.
“I think he wants to add his combined age together and thinks he’s two, he’s happy and if you saw him in the paddock, you wouldn’t believe that he’s 11.”
Elle Sole partnered Pep Torque in the heat and retains the ride in The Multi Ethnic – Africa (1600m), following in the footsteps of a number of apprentices to ply their trade on the experienced gelding.
“Elle will take three kilos off on Saturday, which is a big assist for him,” Lawrence said.
“I like to give those three-kilo claimers an opportunity, eight of his wins have been with apprentices on and he’s been an incredible horse for them. Elle came in the other day with a grin from ear-to-ear, having the opportunity to ride a horse like him that just says, wait here kid, I’ve got it.
“She works hard and deserves the ride, he’s honest and just a neat horse.”
Lawrence is keeping an open mind following Saturday’s assignment, where a number of his connections will make the long journey across to Taranaki in support.
“We’ll just tick through those lower-grade Cup races. As long as he stays happy and sound, we’ll keep ticking along,” she said.
“The ownership group have been in him since the beginning, they’re all going on Saturday including Diana Newman, all the way from Gisborne. She has dementia and is not very well, so it may be her last raceday, so to have him back is very special for them.
“Anything amiss, he’ll be retired, we came all the way through with no illusion that we would if that was the case.”
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