Racing: Recite proves too classy

Outstanding two-year-old Recite produced something special with a runaway win in the group one The Oaks Stud Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, yesterday.

The Darci Brahma filly's fourth win in succession completed a perfect script for her breeder-owner Dick Karreman, whose Cambridge nursery sponsored the second leg of the autumn two-year-old group one double.

And befitting the occasion, the Queensland quarryman was on hand at Awapuni yesterday to lead the latest star in his blue and white colours back to scale.

Stepping up to 1400 metres, Recite was settled several lengths off a moderate speed set by Al Strada and loomed up wide to be ready to make her bid at the top of the straight.

Al Strada had a full head of steam on straightening, but there was no stopping Recite as Mark Du Plessis asked her to flatten out.

In a blink she had asserted herself and raced clear over the final 200 metres to score by a length and a half.

While having no chance with the filly, Al Strada was as clearly superior to the remainder holding onto second place, the best of them Constellation fighting hard for third just ahead of Kirramosa.

Meanwhile, the group two Lawnmaster Awapuni Gold Cup, saw former star Singapore galloper Better Than Ever rediscover winning form with a dashing display.

Better Than Ever, who was reared at Blandford Lodge before being sold as a yearling to Singapore business Tang Weng Fei, was the best of his time in Singapore with 15 wins.

The decision was made after he bled last year to send him back to New Zealand and he was having his fifth start since when he responded to a smart Hayden Tinsley ride yesterday.

When the pace slackened down the back straight, Tinsley let Better Than Ever stride to a clear lead, which he maintained to the home turn and left him with enough to withstand the late finishing Ransomed. Spiro also got going late finish third, ahead of Figure Again, Pero and Jeu De Cartes, who was forced wide early but didn't fire at the end.