New Zealand
Local double for Wilson
Waipukurau trainer Simon Wilson enjoyed the rare luxury of racing on his home track on Sunday, and while the weather didn’t play its part, his racing team did, recording a winning double at the meeting.
With remedial work taking place at both Hastings and Awapuni, Waipukurau has enjoyed a return to the racing calendar recently, with their November meeting well patronised by locals, with many returning to brave the wet weather in support of Sunday's eight-race card.
"The weather didn't play its part yesterday, but it was well supported," Wilson said. "There were a lot of people who came down from Wairoa, as it was a Wairoa meeting, and the locals were out in force to support it too."
Wilson is rapt to be back racing at his home track, which he said is great for the local community.
"It's fantastic," he said. "It is great for the racing club and community to be back racing there. We have had amazing support from far and wide, and the trainers are supporting us, which is great, bringing horses to jump-outs and supporting the racedays. Long me it last.
"We are positive that things are going in the right direction. We have got a great committee that are passionate about racing and the community, which is what it is all about."
Wilson lined up his entire race team of two on Sunday and was pleased to get a 100 percent strike-rate, with debutant Concorde taking out the ICIB Brokerweb Three-Year-Old Maiden (1200m), while Plain Sailing broke through for his maiden win in the Davmet Maiden (1400m), both in the hands of local hoop Kate Hercock.
"Concorde has got a lot of speed and I was happy that she relaxed and finished off the race nicely, aided by a good ride from Kate Hercock," Wilson said.
"She was working well and being her local track, she does all of her work there, so it was an obvious choice to go there rather than travel somewhere else first-up.
"Plain Sailing is a four-year-old now and is a weaker type who has taken a little bit of time to strengthen up. We added the blinkers yesterday, which was an assist."
Wilson said both horses have come through their runs well and he is now looking for their next assignments, with their return to race at Waipukurau's next meeting on April 26 high on the agenda.
Check out our FREE full form, ratings for meetings in nine countries each and every day.