Lantao Outlasts Classy Whanganui Cup Field
Group One racing returned to Hatrick Raceways Friday time slot just in time for crowds to return, after the lifting of level two Covid-19 restrictions earlier last week. The Dairymaster Whanganui Cup was the highlight of the twelve race card along with the Uhlenberg Haulage Whanganui Stayers Final at Group Two level. Stakes for all races on the night were increased significantly and made for some quality and competitive racing in the lead up to the night’s feature events.
Lisa Cole had another strong hand in a group feature race with half the field, all of which were capable enough to feature in the finish. Craig Roberts prepared Leonard Bale who has been sensational this season so far and Oster Bale who has won on the track in good time. Ozzie for Dan Lane was lucky to make the field, however, he posed a very real threat with his strong Addington credentials. Gary and Sandra Fredrickson would have been elated after Miss Potential’s brilliant all of the way heat win landed the Vaughan Clark-owned bitch her first Group One appearance.
This year's field had a considerable amount of early speed and when race favourite Bigtime Cooper failed to make his usual lightning beginning there was an early charge involving Bigtime Lantao, Bigtime Brie, Bigtime Maple and Miss Potential. Cooper attempted to recover but found himself in a sandwich and lost all chance. Oster Bale and Ozzie both stumbled out of the boxes, and with that, lost their chances of victory, despite Ozzie finishing strongly to get within three lengths of the race winner. Bigtime Lantao scooted away down the back with a 18.57s midsection as Brie was on her tail before fading on the final corner. Both Leonard Bale and Miss Potential finished with very strong bursts, but as she has done in most of her Whanganui victories, the gutsy fawn bitch out of Fernando Bale and Sheer Miss kicked on to a well-deserved victory. Lantao’s first Group One win continues her unbeaten run on the track racking up win 14 from 20 career starts. Leonard Bale was super again after an average start and Miss Potential validated her heat win with a close third in what was one of the best Whanganui Cup finishes in recent memory.
Seven years ago Little Teegan won the Whanganui Stayers Final for Arch Lawrence and on Friday the daughter in Shaynee took out the same event. This particular race has been won by some talented distance specialists and although this years field was not as strong, Shaynee’s victory was hard-earned. Shaynee took up the early lead and was never headed despite looming pressure from Hot Platter on the first lap and Goldstar Truman on the final corner, she kicked away impressively chalking up win 10 which was her most lucrative to date. The Sam Lozell trained Arch Lawrence-owned daughter of Dyna Vikkers and Little Teegan takes her stakes to around the $29,000 mark. Goldstar Truman for Steve and Bonnie Evans held down second position while Arch Lawrence trained the third placegetter Little Teegs who is the sister of the winner.
Written by Shane Kendall
