Racing: Thee Achiever always in control

WINNING GRIN: Craig Grylls cut a happy figure after riding Thee Achiever to victory. 120514JB07BOP

Thee Achiever controlled the Tainui Press Design & Print F&M Maiden 1600m feature race at the Tauranga Racecourse to win by a length.

The favourite, which had shortened into $1.80 for the win before the jump, always looked in control yesterday after establishing a strong position on the rail from a wide draw.

Jockey Craig Grylls pushed the 3-year-old Fred Cornege-trained filly only as hard as he had to.

Thee Achiever held off spirited runs from Lee Magorrian aboard Calinda ($2.10) and Mark du Plessis on Carmen Sandiego ($1.70), with a time of 1:42.07.

Second favourite Golden Glow never threatened in the $12,000 event run on a slow track, finishing in fourth place on a fine afternoon at the picturesque racecourse.

Local trainer Jim Pender said the quiet day on course at the Tauranga track further justified the decision to suspend Monday racing.