Racing: Sires Stakes victory sweet

Craig Grylls guides Nacho Man to the finish line in the Manawatu Sires Stakes at Awapuni yesterday. Photo / NZPA

Nacho Man made a triumphant return to winning form in elite company when he outsprinted a quality field to win the $200,000 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni yesterday.

The well-built gelding has been a nightmare for the Matamata-based trainers Mike and Paul Moroney as he has failed in two race starts right-handed.

However, his form left-handed is the exact opposite - three starts for as many wins - the latest a Group One victory.

Nacho Man scored by 1 lengths over Cellarmaster with a further half-neck back to Jimmy Choux (third).

The victory further underlined the ability the Moroney brothers have in identifying and developing outstanding young athletes.

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Te Aroha trainers Graeme Nicholson and Paul Allbon enjoyed a rare Group training "double" when producing Time Keeper and Sir Slick to post outstanding victories.

Time Keeper showed no mercy for his age group rivals in the $70,000 (Group Three) Manawatu Classic posting a six-length victory over Utopia with a further 1 lengths back to Eileen Dubh.

The 3-year-old son of Stravinsky has been busy, scoring three wins and six minor placings from 24 starts.

Awapuni has been a happy hunting ground for the colt with two wins and a minor placing from three starts.

The "Iron Horse" of the stable - Sir Slick - again broke hearts scoring a 1 length victory over Manonamission and Red Ruler in the $85,000 (Group Two) Awapuni Gold Cup.

Sir Slick had another change of jockey yesterday with apprentice rider Samantha Collett aboard.

There has been a lot of criticism of the amount of racing Sir Slick has had over his career - 117 starts for 22 wins and 32 minor placings - but there is no doubting his heart and soundness.

Sir Slick has seen Awapuni racecourse on a few more occasions than most racehorses - 11 starts - for five wins and three minor placings.

The obvious question is will Sir Slick compete again next season as a 9-year-old. Judging by this latest performance there is no doubting he has the speed and stamina to deliver again in the spring.

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Opie Bosson produced a clinical ride aboard Surreal Storm to score a narrow victory over Hawke's Bay Cat and Justanexcuse in the $15,000 3-Year-Old 1400m sprint.

Bosson gave the son of Storm Cat plenty of time to balance himself in the home stretch before unleashing a blistering sprint down the outer to grab the pace setting Hawke's Bay Cat.

The Kevin Gray-trained 3-year-old is unbeaten in two race starts on his home track.

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The Heckler bounced back to winning form with a determined winning performance in the opening event at Ellerslie.

Last season's outstanding 2-year-old was having his second start for new trainer Jakki Good.

The Heckler sat outside Mr Shanghai throughout, showing plenty of determination in the home straight to best the pace-maker by a short neck.

A further 1 lengths away third was De Los Angeles.

The Heckler kicked off his 3-year-old season with three disappointing performances for Cambridge-based trainers Murray and Bjorn Baker.

The gelding was then transferred to the Waiuku-based beach training facility of Jakki Good.

With four wins from 10 starts there is no doubting the sprinting ability of The Heckler - 12 months ago he won the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni.

The Heckler also had a 3kg pull in the handicapping weights which was a telling factor in a close finish.