Racing: Spotlight on winning skills

Michael Walker was back in the spotlight for all the right reasons at Te Aroha yesterday after his brilliant winning ride on Northern Beau.

Walker settled Northern Beau close to the pace throughout the running of the $18,000 Lion Foundation 2100 and sat patiently while rival jockeys swept forward quickly at the top of the home straight to challenge the leaders.

Walker knew Te Aroha racecourse has the longest home straight in New Zealand and the key to winning races on the right-handed track is to leave your challenging burst until the latter stages of the race.

Northern Beau worked out of the pack midway down the home stretch to unleash a sustained sprint down the outer and gun down the gallant pace-setting Nufsed by a neck. A further half-head away in third position was Expectalite.

Walker could afford to ride patiently because he had only six rivals to compete against in the 2100 metre event.

The past month has been a career low point for the outstanding jockey. A month ago ago Walker lost his driver's licence for nine months for drink-driving and careless driving.

Earlier this month Walker stunned Australasian racing when he revealed he used cocaine during a seven-month riding stint in Australia.

Just when it appeared things could not get any worse it was revealed on Thursday that Walker had been charged with driving a vehicle while disqualified. He had been stopped for speeding near Taupo after riding at the Foxton races last Sunday.

Northern Beau disappointed trainers Donna and Dean Logan after a battling last-start performance at Te Rapa when tenth of 11 runners.

The Ruakaka-based trainers decided to "get tough" with him and gained a well-deserved victory.

The 7-year-old has been a solid performer, scoring six wins and nine minor placings from 25 starts.

DANIEL HAIN made a snap decision on the hometurn that proved to be the correct one when She's So Cavalier scored a narrow but determined victory at Te Aroha.

The apprentice jockey decided to take She's So Cavalier out wider in the home straight in search of better footing and this combination stuck on gallantly to win by a short neck over the fast closing Our Kitty.

A further neck away in third position was Rover's Return.

Hain had She's So Cavalier nicely positioned outside the leader at the top of the home straight and mounted his challenge wider out on the track as opposed to staying closer to the inside running line.

She's So Cavalier carried 54kg to victory, courtesy of a 3kg apprentice allowance claim from Hain.

The 5-year-old Kashani mare has been in consistent form for Takanini trainer David Medcalfe - this win her second from her last six starts - on top of three minor placings.

There was much to admire in the performance of second-placed Our Kitty who carried 56kg. She closed rapidly on She's So Cavalier along the inner over the final 50 metres.

The well-supported Mohini Surprise failed to fire battling into ninth position, nearly 10 lengths behind the winner.

LE PULSE made a successful return to hurdle racing when powering to an impressive victory in the opening event.

The 8-year-old has been racing on the "flat" recently and showed superior fitness, despite struggling to run in a straight line after clearing the last fence, scoring by 2 1/4 lengths over the favourite Cork 'N Bottle.

A further 1 1/2 lengths away in third position was Centevfoaled.

Le Pulse had a clear advantage with jockey Lance Macfarlane able to claim a 3kg allowance and that proved to be a telling factor over the closing 200 metres of the race.

Willie Winit produced a determined performance to take out the following event, another maiden hurdle race, when waging a stride for stride battle with Waitete Boy after both horses jumped the final fence beside each other.

Willie Winit, ridden by the in-form Shelley Houston, kicked back in gallant style to win by a long head over Waitete Boy.

A further 4 1/4 lengths back was Katchenup (third).

From 31 starts for Whakatane-based trainers Kevin and Peter O'Connor, Willie Winit has scored three wins and five minor placings.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY