Many others would not have persevered as long but trainer local trainer Rick Wells always had confidence that Affogato would be a winner and he was on Wednesday at Ruakaka at his 38th start. In the Northgate Lodge 2100m maiden Affogato was a comfortable winner when ridden by Sam Spratt.
The now 6-year-old gelding had run a number of close up placings in his career but had yet to be the winner. Most trainers and owners would have given up hope before the 38th start.
The opposite is true for first time starter and winner Pearson Square from the Tony Pike stable.
The Cambridge trainer, who produced Sacred Elixir to triumph in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on Saturday, has the son of Roc de Cambes on a path to the Group 1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas. His odds have been trimmed from $81 to $21 for the Riccarton feature.
"He's a big horse that was always going to benefit with a patient approach," Pike said.
"We'll have time for one more run and that's likely to be over 1400m. He'll appreciate the big roomy track at Riccarton and the step up to a mile on a good surface."