Racing: Miss Wilson's connections back on centre stage

Miss Wilson takes out the $200,000 Breeders' Stakes. Photo / Trish Dunell

John Bary was back in the Group One groove at Te Aroha on Saturday.

He successfully executed a long-term plan when the well-related Miss Wilson reigned supreme in the Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m).

An emotional Bary savoured top-flight success with the half-sister by Stratum to his former star galloper Jimmy Choux, a multiple Group One winner and former New Zealand Horse of the Year.

He was bred and raced by Richard and Liz Wood and their familiar colours were donned by Vinnie Colgan aboard Miss Wilson.

"It's great for Richard and Liz. They have been big supporters of the stable," Bary said.

"This means a lot to me and my staff, they work long hours and this is as much about them as me."

Miss Wilson finished fourth in the Breeders' Stakes 12 months ago after she had won the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) and this time around Bary elected to bypass the Trentham event.

"I learned from last year and she is much better fresh," he said.

Ridden by Colgan, Miss Wilson jumped well to sit behind the tearaway leaders Ruud Not Too and Nicoletta before reeling them in 250m from home.

"This is really special, it's been a long-time plan and full credit to John and his team," Richard Wood said.

Miss Wilson won by half a length from Thee Auld Floozie, who also finished runner-up in the 2017 edition of the event behind Charmont.

Nicoletta stuck on grimly to take third money ahead of Heni and Coldplay, who both made ground from back in the field.

The favourite Darscape Princess raced in fourth spot, but was under pressure at the top of the straight and dropped out to beat only two home.

Enigmatic stayer Highlad returned to winning form on Saturday with a heart-stopping victory in the Te Aroha Cup (2200m).

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman indicated before the race that he was leaning towards the High Chaparral four-year-old over stablemate Show The World with the prediction of a sit-sprint battle developing in the six-horse field. That scenario went out the window almost immediately however, as Hastings visitor Saint Kitt sent a solid pace out in front throughout with Highlad settling well back.

Rider Michael Coleman improved Highlad into a challenging position on the home corner before drawing clear with the well favoured Bizzwinkle as they set down to fight out the finish. In a tooth and nail struggle Highlad gained the ascendancy to score by a short-head with Cheeky Boy running on nicely to gain third.

"That was a good solid effort although he did want to knock off and wait for the other horse a bit in the home straight," said Forsman.

"His record on firm tracks doesn't read that well but he does tend to prefer a reasonable surface.

"All in all it was a good hit-out and should have him right for Hastings next weekend."

- NZ Racing Desk