Racing: Hard-fought victory rewards patience

The patience and judgment of Cambridge-based trainer Bryce Tankard were rewarded at Ellerslie yesterday when Yes Man posted a determined winning performance.

Tankard has allowed the Cape Cross-sired 3-year-old gelding plenty of time to mature into his physique. This victory was his first on top of three minor placings from nine starts.

Yes Man sprinted down the home stretch to defeat the favourite Kincert by a neck with a further long neck back to So You (third).

"Yes Man is owned by a Hong Kong client of my stable and he's just needed a bit of time to develop as a racehorse," said Tankard. "I've always had an opinion of this horse and I haven't got any real plans for him at the moment. I'll talk to the owner and see what he wants to do."

Yes Man caught the eye when finishing fourth behind subsequent New Zealand Derby winner Xcellent in an intermediate class event at Ellerslie in November.

In the following event Farm Hills showed a fast and clean set of heels to his rivals when powering to an effortless victory in the hands of Hayden Tinsley.

Farm Hills had his rivals in trouble before the home turn when slipping clear of the field and easing down at the finish to win by 3 1/2 lengths over Censored and Danz Star (third).

The Snippets-sired gelding has been raced in New Zealand and Australia by Cambridge trainer Chris McNab scoring two wins from 10 starts.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY