Eric The Viking put paid to pre-race reputations and capitalised on a massive pull in the handicapping conditions to score a narrow victory in the $100,000 Opunake Cup at New Plymouth yesterday.
The Waikato Stud sponsored event brought together an outstanding field of winter track gallopers with the 15-1 shot
Eric The Viking given an outside chance of defeating some well-performed athletes.
Matthew Cameron timed his finishing burst to perfection, scoring by a long head over Samurai with a further length back to Bulginbaah (third).
Eric The Viking had faultless pre-race form, having won his last two starts, but was expected to struggle with the jump in class.
However, the son of Viking Ruler took full advantage of a 5kg pull in the weights to score an impressive victory.
Opaki trainer Aaron Bidlake has been patient with the 4-year-old who has compiled an impressive career record of five wins and six minor placings from 27 starts. His form this season has been outstanding.
* Sam Spratt was in unstoppable form at Ruakaka yesterday, kicking home four winners in aggressive fashion.
The "old firm"of Spratt and leading trainer Stephen McKee combined to win races with Bonus Bond and Siberty.
McKee also won another race with Able Charm.
Spratt was also successful aboard Govind and Run Like Al.
Run Like Al was in ruthless form in the $17,000 Open 1200m powering to a 4-length victory over Sandblaster and Miss Raggedy Ann (third).
Waiuku-based trainer Jakki Good has done an outstanding job getting the former age group star back into winning form and yesterday's victory was achieved with a great deal in hand at the finish.
Expect Run Like Al to be prominent in early spring racing feature events in the lower North Island.
* James McDonald returned to New Zealand racing in the same manner he left it - in dominant winning form - when successful with Dashing Donna and Ima Lady at Ruakaka.
McDonald has compiled an impressive strike rate teaming with Ruakaka trainers Donna and Dean Logan and Chris Gibbs.
He combined with the speedy Dashing Donna to win the $17,000 Open 1600m.
Dashing Donna, a compact and well-built 5-year-old daughter of Don Eduardo, scored by three-quarters of a length over Pinstar with a further length back to Waitui Zone (third).
