KEY POINTS:
Old Belvedere had every excuse to be beaten in the $100,000 Group Three feature at Awapuni yesterday but would not be denied victory.
Heavy track conditions and being left in front a lot longer than anticipated would normally prove the downfall of most racehorses but not Old Belvedere.
The 6-year-old sprinted forward 600m from home chasing tearaway leader Shamrock Star who stopped quickly on the hometurn, leaving the second favourite alone in front.
The challengers came quickly at Old Belvedere over the final 100m but he showed plenty of stamina and class to win by a long head over the fast-closing Jonbalena with a further neck back to Samurai (third).
Successful jockey Craig Grylls had to call on the winner's sprint finishing ability a lot earlier than anticipated and this combination was a sitting duck for late sweepers the length of the home stretch.
Te Awamutu trainers Richard and Chris Otto have not been scared to travel Old Belvedere this campaign.
After an easy first-up victory Old Belvedere travelled to Riccarton for an impressive fourth in the Winter Cup and was narrowly beaten in his last start at Hastings by the highly-regarded Rios.
"It was always the pre-race plan to stay in touch with Shamrock Star as we believed he was the horse to beat," said co-trainer Richard Otto.
"Our horse was never on the bridle or really happy racing in this ground but he got through it. We were left in front a lot longer than I would have liked, however we got the win.
"I'll see how he comes through this race and if he's 100 per cent we'll drop him back to 1400m for the Kelt Memorial [Hastings, October 4]."
VETERAN PERFORMER Dezigna kicked off his 9-year-old racing season in winning style at Ruakaka yesterday in the hands of Troy Harris.
Dezigna unleashed a blistering home-stretch sprint down the extreme outside of the track to win by a nose over Vicenzo with a further long neck back to Anuthahoarse who was third.
The 70-start veteran has been an outstanding performer over the last two seasons for Matamata-based trainers Vanessa and Wayne Hillis.
Dezigna will be seen in action again this season in weight-for-age 1600m and 2000m events. Last season the veteran recorded a number of minor placings in feature races.
THE LADY was a hot favourite in the 2-year-old event on the strength of two impressive trial wins from as many outings for Te Awamutu trainers Graeme and Mark Sanders.
However someone forgot to tell Ali Spur and jockey Rogan Norvall as they gunned down the favourite to win by a head. A further five lengths away third was Miss Loaded.
The 24-1 shot was on debut without a trial but has a big motor judging by her bold performance.
LOCALLY TRAINED Mystabrett capped a run of consistent form with a narrow but impressive victory.
The 7-year-old won by a long head over Promace with a further half-head back to Flashing Red.
Mystabrett was second in his last two starts at home and responded to a patient ride by Tasha Collett.