Doni Prastiyou has impressed a number of good judges on his northern loan spell and Allan Peard joined the apprentice's fan club at Ruakaka.
The 24-year-old didn't miss a beat when he guided the dual stakes winner Shezhardtocatch to an upset victory in yesterday's Ford Ranger Handicap.
"That was a
great ride. He was very patient and he's a top apprentice coming through the ranks," said Peard, stable foreman to trainer Bruce Wallace.
The dual Group Three winner of the Concorde Handicap and the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes, Shezhardtocatch sat well off a hot speed and came with a well-timed run to beat To Be Sure and First Class.
"She's always been a quality mare," Peard said. "We were confident today - she had been working very well and two runs back she was just beaten by Fully Funded and she should have won."
