Racing: Extra cheer for comeback rider

You couldn't help but cheer Gemma Sliz home on Rose Of Arcadia at Ellerslie on Saturday.

It was the 23-year-old English-born Sliz's first win since breaking her back in a horrendous race fall at Ruakaka last year.

The January 1, 2004, Auckland Cup victory on Upsetthym must seem a long time ago.

It has been a heart-breaking crawl back for Sliz, who had to learn to walk again after two months on her back in hospital, followed by time on a walking frame.

"I have had trouble with sore backs because the back muscles became so weak from inactivity," she said on Saturday.

"And I'm so pleased I scored on this filly [using the English term for a 7-year-old mare], because she's just so game. I've won three races on her now."

It was a wonderful effort by Kerry and Belinda Verner to get Rose of Arcadia fit enough to win in Saturday's gruelling conditions in the mare's first start since November.

Sliz's balanced style of riding helped the mare enormously in the final stages.

* Kate Hercock has only 13 days to rid herself of the title of New Zealand's oldest apprentice jockey.

The 26-year-old admits it's something that she won't miss.

"I've always taken it as a joke, but I'll be pleased to see the back of it," she said after racing away on All's Well to score impressively for punters in the feature race.

Hercock rode for 18 months then gave racing away. Her luck since resuming in the industry has been solid.

"I've just bought some land, so this cheque will go towards building a house on it. I was going to buy a new Mini, but a new house is more valuable than a new car."

It was appropriate that All's Well should win on Queen's Birthday weekend. Like all of Davina Waddell's horses, he will probably one day end up jumping and this weekend will be one of the vehicles.

But it won't be any time soon. All's Well is a hugely talented galloper on the flat and has that rare quality to be as good on top of the ground as he is in the deep mud he struck at Ellerslie on Saturday. Very few horse could do that.

"He had the race under control a long way out," said Hercock.

* It's a shame the TAB wouldn't let us bet halfway through each race at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Conditions were a test and horses were noticeably divided - they were either handling the conditions or they weren't - and you could tell the difference at the 600m.

There were plenty of those whose runs you could forget, and among the more fancied runners you can list: Salt, Samurai, Enthralling, Sun Hawke, Kajema, Sir Elton, Sheza Dooley and Annie Bee.

Give them all another shout next start.