Trainer Andrew Scott’s winning treble trumped by scholarship win for daughter Maria

Maria Scott has been awarded one of New Zealand's racing highest honours for young achievers. Photo / Supplied

It was a memorable day for Andrew Scott today, firstly hearing the news his daughter was awarded the NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship, before he went to Te Rapa, where he and training partner Lance O’Sullivan recorded a winning treble.

Scott said his daughter, Maria Scott, has a strong interest in thoroughbred racing and is keen to pursue a career in the industry.

He was proud when he heard she had been announced as this year’s recipient of the scholarship, with its $10,000 award helping support her towards completing a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in marketing, at the University of Auckland.

“Maria is a young lady that is very passionate about the industry,” Scott said.

“We need the next generation coming through and she has got a keen eye for racing. She was very excited and very grateful [to receive the scholarship].

“With children it’s great to see them coming through and taking the next stage in life. Hopefully she finds a good way forward.”

Scott was also rapt with his stable’s treble at Te Rapa.

“It was very good for the team and encouraging going into later autumn and winter months with horses we know can handle the conditions, and hopefully they have got a good few wins in them,” he said.

Wexford’s treble included a double for Kylie Bax’s Bloodstock Achieving Xcellence syndicates. Her colours were carried to victory by Little Bit Of Love in the Zoe and James At Lodge 1400, and two races later she was back in the winners’ circle to welcome back Prudentia following the Sal’s Pizza Hamilton 1300.

“It is certainly their time of year and we have purposely kept them away from the quick ground through summer,” Scott said.

“Little Bit Of Love is well adept in these sort of conditions and he is proven in that winter top grade.

“We think Prudentia, with another prep under her belt, should get through a few good grades. That was a good win today.”

Scott was also pleased with Miss Bo Peep’s victory in the Power Farming Morrinsville 1200 for Wentwood Granges’ Llanhennock Trust, with stablemate Tristar finishing strongly to earn a stable quinella.

“Miss Bo Peep is a bonny mare, she sprints well and Wentwood Grange has been very patient with a wee bit of a setback over the summer months,” Scott said. “She had been put away and today was very rewarding for the team.

“She is a talented sprinting mare and we are hopeful we can get her through to some black-type at some point.

“The stablemate, Tristar, running second was a very good performance as well.”

Scott is hoping Wexford’s luck continues into Saturday, where they will head to Ellerslie with a handful of runners, including Grande Gallo in the Elsdon Park 1200, Gippsy God in the Golf Warehouse 2100, Sister Cynane in the MyRacehorse 1200 and Hankee Alpha in the Yourride 1400.

“Grande Gallo has taken a good amount of improvement with her fresh-up run under her belt and if the rain arrives on the day it is going to aid her chances,” Scott said.

“Gippsy God is going to try to go back-to-back. He is a promising, young stayer and he gets around Ellerslie well.

“Hankee Alpha should round off the day well for the team, she has been racing like the 1400m is going to be to her liking and we are going to find that out tomorrow.”

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk