Laura Cheshire produced a confident and well-judged ride to post an easy victory aboard Devoted at Te Rapa yesterday.
Cheshire had Devoted nicely positioned outside the pace setting Pin Up Boy in the $30,000 (Listed) Te Rapa Supa Centa Sprint and strode clear over the final 100 metres to defeathim by three-quarters of a length, with the same margin back to Amazing One.
The 6-year-old has been a faultless performer for Matamata trainer Jim Gibbs, scoring seven wins and four minor placings from 13 starts.
Devoted carried 56.5kg to victory and won with a great deal in hand, though well-performed stablemate Vaalu was disappointing, finishing in last position after over racing early in the event.
In the previous race, Gibbs produced Kerry O'Reilly in great order when the 5-year-old overpowered a gallant Kajema to win the $20,000 open handicap.
Kerry O'Reilly scored by a length over Kajema, with a further 2 1/4 lengths back to Jack Hobbs.
* * *
Blue Skies ahead
Blue Skies produced a blistering display of front running speed to win the opening event in the hands of Jim Collett.
The Spectatorial-sired 2-year-old filly ran the finishing ability out of the opposition scoring by 1 1/4 lengths over Chant and Lady Classique.
* * *
Multiple successes for Todd
Mark Todd was in commanding form winning three races with Paixanito, Izzat and Belle Mia.
The Cambridge-based trainer produced the well-bred Zabeel-sired 4-year-old mare Paixanito to beat Archillies and Bringbackthebiff.
Izzat, a 3-year-old Almutawakel-sired gelding, scored by 1 1/4 lengths over Willie Ryan and Camponeschi. Belle Mia (Zabeel-Mer Du Sud) won the final event by a length from Pentane and Starliner.
