Day out for Wanganui connections

DASHING VICTORY: Wanganui-owned mare Rohaise returned to the winner's circle when beating Scapolo (No2) and Nashville (yellow cap inner) at Waverley on Sunday.PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 220315WCBRCWAV02

THE annual Waverley Cup Day on Sunday was dominated by the locals with Wanganui connections in particular enjoying success.

Wanganui riders Jonathan Parkes and Lisa Allpress shared the jockey challenge with nine points apiece, while the $30,000 Steelform Roofing Group Waverley Cup was won by the now Marton-trained former Wanganui mare Miss Ana.

The Traditionally mare was bred in the River City by Patrick O'Leary using Ian Hadfield's loan mare Anagap and was originally trained by Stephen Crutchely. Once Crutchley moved to Singapore, O'Leary decided to retire Miss Ana, but his Marton-based cousin, Dan O'Leary, of Who Shot Thebarman fame, was convinced she had at least one more decent win left in her.

"I leased her to Dan and he was obviously right," Patrick O'Leary said on Sunday.

Miss Ana was one of three pick-up rides for Parkes after the country's leading jockey, Matthew Cameron, missed the meeting through flight cancellations.

Parkes also won on the Murray Baker/Andrew Forsman-trained Furuvik originally to be ridden by Cameron. Parkes also claimed a maiden winner in Pella for Taranaki trainer Warren Bolton. The three winners came hard on the heels of Parkes' four victories at Waipukurau on Friday and a near miss in the Japan Trophy International at Tauranga on Saturday on Kawi. He was beaten a lip by the Fraser Auret-trained Julinsky Prince, ironically a regular ride for Parkes.

Allpress, who is about to take up a contract in Japan, gained three of her nine points with a win on Wanganui-owned, Marton-trained Rohaise beating group performers Scapolo and Nashville who have major assignments looming. Allpress also had three second placings on locally-trained Petty Thief, Otaki galloper Langdon in the cup and Catwomandu in the Wanganui Insurance Brokers/A & C Surveys R85 1200m.

The final race also had a Wanganui connection with Kevin Myers the trainer of winner Epineaux, who is likely to head to the spelling paddock.

Rohaise is owned by Wanganui breeders Nigel and Adaire Auret and is trained by son Fraser in Marton.

She was having a her first run back in the north after an unsuccessful two-race southern campaign.

"She's likely to have one or two more runs then head to the matron's paddock. She hates wet ground," Auret said.