Racing: Poacher nabs victory on Browne's big day

There was never any doubt about an appropriate win for Ken Browne.

Not once the Ken and Ann Browne-trained Poacher drew almost level with Judderbar in the home straight of the Legends of Ellerslie Hurdles.

If there has ever been a Browne horse that has lost a close finish at Ellerslie in the last couple of decades, no one can remember it.

Poacher wasn't about to let Ken Browne down on the day the veteran Cambridge horseman was inducted as a Legend of Ellerslie.

And he didn't.

With only a couple of strides to travel, Poacher did what all Browne horses do - he put half a head on his rival as he flashed across the line.

The surprise was that Ann Browne did not think Poacher was fit enough to win.

No one really bought into her excuse.

"Apart from Bit Of A Myth at Riverton on Saturday, I haven't taken a horse to the races since November 1 last year," she said.

Ann has trained too many winners for that to be a factor.

It's remarkable to think that Ken Browne's first winner was at Paeroa in 1952.

Since then he has truly been a legend of Ellerslie and it was a lovely touch that his granddaughter Missy rode Poacher to victory yesterday.

The only thought Ann Browne had yesterday was that Poacher would finish in front of stablemate Danz.

"It takes a fair bit to get the other horse fit."

Ann Browne has no real plans for Poacher. "He's no champion - he's not another No Hero. What a lovely horse he is to watch."

Even if he doesn't win his next start, Poacher won the race the stable was looking for.

The warm favourite Blake's Boy did well to hold third given that he looked to be under pressure a long way out.

In his defence he raced very keenly for much of the race.

* Wellington racing enthusiast Ron Cunningham celebrated his birthday in style when Rat Tat won the open-class sprint at Ellerslie.

The win came on Cunningham's 66th birthday and provided the former Wellington Harness Racing Club president with his first victory at Ellerslie from his first runner at the track.

Rat Tat made his Ellerslie debut in a 1200m open class sprint on Saturday and after he ran fourth it was decided to stay north for yesterday's $27,500 C.M. Jillings Cup (1400m).

Cunningham was on not on hand for the race but said he was chuffed at the win.

"I was keen to go, but with it being Easter I decided to stay home," Cunningham said. "Also I've got a heap of horses at home."

Cunningham holds an owner-trainer's licence and originally trained Rat Tat.

However, he has since officially placed the horse in the care of long-time assistant Tony Lawrey, who also rides Cunningham's horses in training at Trentham.

Cunningham said Lawrey deserved much credit.

"If he wasn't around you couldn't have a horse at Trentham," he said. "I'm happy to have the horses and Tony does a good job."

Cunningham said he had six thoroughbreds and also maintained a strong interest in harness racing with five racehorses and three broodmares.

Rat Tat has been a good performer for Cunningham. The win was the Slavic 5-year-old gelding's eighth from 38 starts along with three seconds and five thirds.

Rat Tat's stake earnings now total more than $127,000.

Among Rat Tat's earlier wins was the winter 2-year-old feature of the Ryder Stakes at Otaki in 2003 and that same year he was second in the Wellington Guineas at Trentham.

Cunningham said he was offered more than $200,000 for Rat Tat as a 2-year-old but had no regrets at turning it down. "You don't get a horse as honest as that very often."

Rider Matthew Williamson had Rat Tat trailing the leader, second favourite Star Rio, most of the way.

Rat Tat loomed up to Star Rio early in the run home and Williamson asked his mount for his best inside the last 200m.

Double Ar Be, who raced three back on the winner, came through on the inside of Star Rio in the straight and went down by a head to Rat Tat.

A length and a half away third was the favourite Thee Auld Hussie who had her chance after racing outside the leader most of the way. Star Rio was half a length back fourth.

Meanwhile, the day's other main race, the $20,000 D.A. Peake Plate (1600m) for 3-year-olds, was won by the $2.35 favourite Wilkie's Paint in a close finish.

Wilkie's Paint, ridden by Michael Coleman, settled third on the fence in the eight-horse field and made his run down the centre of the home straight.

Wilkie's Paint went up to the leader Lady Cavalier inside the last 200m and they fought out the finish with the winning margin a nose.

Lady Cavalier did well for second after drifting away from the inside in the straight and her rider Craig Grylls had to straighten the filly a couple of times.

Despite the smallness of the field, there was an unlucky runner in the race.

Ististar, the second favourite, raced at the rear and when rider Lisa Cropp tried to angle her into the clear in the straight she was closed out.

The win of Wilkie's Paint was the Almutawakel colt's third from six starts and he has run second at his other three starts.

- additional reporting NZPA