Racing: Rogerson picks up Ruakaka expenses

Waikato-based trainer Graeme Rogerson. Photo / File

The TAB got hit hard by the Rogerson stable on Baldovino, a horse who hadn't been seen publicly before he appeared on Saturday.

The TAB opened the 3-year-old at $4.20 on fixed odds on Saturday morning and got hit. He won easily and paid $3.40 on the open tote.

"He hadn't been off the property," said Rogerson.

But rather than a well-orchestrated old fashioned punt, the reason Baldovino hadn't been seen out is the cancellation of barrier trial meetings in the north because of wet weather.

"So we trialled him at home. He'd been working with some pretty good horses."

And judged by the punt and the way he won, beating them.

Leith Innes settled Baldovino just behind the speed. He raced a fractional keenly, understandably for a horse that hadn't trialled, but had plenty left when Innes asked him to sprint halfway down the home straight.

He won in the manner of a horse going places.

"He'd have won wherever he was dropped into," said Rogerson, who has a big opinion of the horse.

How big?

"Well, if I win a group one race with him in his first five starts I guess you'd have to say he's pretty good."

No argument.

Rogerson hasn't decided where he will aim Baldovino, but he's likely to end up at the National meeting at Riccarton.

"I've had a change of heart and I'm taking Mr Align down for the Koral and the Grand National and I'll probably take this bloke, too. I think he's going to win some nice races."

Rogerson bought Baldovino off Gerry Harvey for, "not a lot of money".

"He just needed time because he's such a big horse. He's lovely for a big horse." The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson team had a fine season and is looking for more in 2011-2012.

"You know, I was thinking the other day, where else in the world can you buy a filly like Scarlett Lady for $25,000 and end up a group one winner who is now favourite for the Caulfield Cup and second favourite for the Melbourne Cup?

"And a horse like Shootoff for $35,000, who wins a Derby and is a Cox Plate horse.

"There is a lot of negativity, but New Zealand has a lot to offer."

The last race at Ruakaka was abandoned because of surface water between the 1800m and 1400m after heavy rain during the programme. Jockeys made an approach to the stewards over concerns about the water.