The love affair that quality mare Tevere (NZ) (Contributer) has for Te Rapa continued on the weekend when she recorded win number four from just six starts at the venue.
The Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained daughter of Contributer was sent out a warm $2 favourite despite a disappointing last start performance where she only beat two runners home in Listed company over 1400m at Awapuni in early April.
Punters had no cause for concern in Saturday’s open 1200m contest as rider Michael McNab settled her beyond midfield in the seven-horse field before tracking second favourite Mega Bourbon (NZ) (El Roca) into contention rounding the home bend.
McNab asked for an effort at the 250m and under a kind ride she moved past Mega Bourbon to record her fifth career success from 10 starts in a comfortable 1.10.83 for the 1200m journey on a Soft 5 surface.
Bred and raced by Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham, it was his son Patrick who was on hand to accept congratulations after the race.
“She’s certainly very effective at Te Rapa, and has a great strike rate,” Patrick Cunningham said.
“She’s bounced back today and full credit to Pam (Gerard) and her team for all the work they’ve done with her.
“Dad really appreciates the effort that Ballymore puts into the horses. He can be pretty conservative when it comes to looking after a good race filly like her, with a breeding future, and it’s fantastic how well she’s performed.”
Photo Credit: Trish Dunell
Gerard was also pleased to see a winning return from the daughter of Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) winner Italian Princess (NZ) (Bertolini), who has passed down her affinity for the Te Rapa track where three of her five victories came from.
“I probably made a mistake last time when we sent her to Awapuni, because she is still learning and just didn’t settle in and eat as well as hoped the night before racing,” Gerard said.
“It impacted on her becoming a bit stirred up on race day and she raced below her best, but she’ll benefit from the experience.
“We got her home, freshened her, and she has been full of herself and worked really well in the past fortnight.
“She was back on her favourite track and Michael (McNab) knows her well. He had her in the right place and she tried really hard.”
Gerard contended it was likely that Tevere would now head to the spelling paddock and prepare for spring assignments.
“Even though we’ve freshened her up a few times she’s still had a lengthy campaign and it’s probably the right time to give her a spell,” she said.
“We know she’s got the ability, that’s proven, and she’ll keep being better at getting things right as she matures. Although she’s won five races, she’s still learning.
“We’re working things out with her and next season it will be interesting to see whether or not she can stretch out 1400m and a mile, or whether she sticks to sprints.”