Racing: Double for training duo

Mudlark Highlad. Photo / Trish Dunell

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman were again a dominant force at Rotorua yesterday with a feature race double.

The Cambridge trainers produced Highlad to win the group three Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) and their pair of Tomelilla and Deals In Heels later had the finish of the group three ISCL Rotorua Stakes (1400m) to themselves

Under a cool ride from Jonathan Riddell, the High Chaparral four-year-old won for the third time in his last four outings with a comprehensive victory in the Rotorua Cup.

"I'm very pleased for his owner Scott Richardson, who has been in ill-health," said Baker.

Between Baker and his Sydney-based son Bjorn, they have prepared 70 winners for Richardson.

"This horse is under-rated — he performed in Melbourne as a three-year-old and we like him a lot," Baker said.

"He can run on all types of tracks and he's a big horse who's taken a while, but he's hitting his straps now."

Highlad settled midfield on the fence before Riddell improved from the 1000m and had the four-year-old into fourth spot 800m from home.

"I thought it was a very heady ride by Jonathan, he got off the fence and came out and knew what he had under him," Baker said.

Highlad was in front at the top of the straight and he stayed on for the eighth win of his career.

Meanwhile, 15-1 chance Tomelilla, a sister by Tavistock to multiple winner Viktor Vegas, prevailed over the highly fancied stablemate Deals In Heels in the Rotorua Stakes over 1400m.

"To win a stakes race with her and the way she's bred is very valuable," Forsman said.

Tomelilla sat back in the field and rider Troy Harris was able to track Deals In Heels into the race 800m from home and proved too good in the run to the line.

"She was travelling pretty well and it was just a matter on when to let her go," Harris said.

O'Angel was nine lengths astern in third to collect a prized black type credit.

- NZ Racing Desk