Local trainer Graham Eade enjoyed success at his Riverton home track on Saturday and is hoping for more of the same when he lines up four of his team on the second day of the annual two-day carnival on Easter Monday.
Eade produced progressive three-year-old Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) to score a comprehensive front–running victory in a rating 65 1600m contest and believes there is more in store for the son of former Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate winner (1600m) Pure Champion.
“It was a very strong win and a great ride from young Yogesh Atchamah,” Eade said.
“He set up a good pace, let him have a breather in the mid-stages and then got him to give plenty in the straight.
“Riviera Rebel is a horse that has just got better and better as he has strengthened and I think he can go further as the young fella found it hard to pull him up past the line.”
Eade went close to a winning double on the day when Gintys Girl (NZ) (Ghibellines) finished second behind Charbano in a qualifying event for the rich $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) final that will be run at Riccarton on 13 April and thinks the five-year-old mare is his best chance on Monday.
“Gintys Girl loves it on her home course and she just found one a little better on Saturday,” he said.
“If she had of won we definitely would have been off to the final at Riccarton, but it wasn’t to be so hopefully we can get a consolation prize on Monday.
“She holds her form well and the quick back up won’t worry her so I think she is probably my best chance.”
Eade has three other stablemates entered for the day and is hoping to see their improved trackwork of late translate into raceday performance.
“Intercept in race two is my first runner and although she has drawn awfully again (17 of 18) her last run at Gore wasn’t as bad as it looks on paper as she had to do a lot of work at the start,” he said.
“Her work has been good and if she can get things more to her liking early on I’m hopeful she can get amongst the finish.
“I though Ataahua Pipedream (race 4) was a good chance on Saturday and he didn’t run on at all. He is better than that and if he hasn’t taken any harm from the run we’re keen to see him run a lot better as we know he has the ability.
“Cosy Nook (race 9) is our last runner and he has taken a while to get near his peak. I though he went better on Saturday and is another that could sneak into the finish with a little luck.”
Eade is hoping for some rain on Sunday or Monday morning to loosen up the Heavy 10 surface as he fears a sticky track won’t be to the liking of his team.
“We are having a little bit of misty rain at the moment (Sunday) however if that doesn’t amount to much then it could be quite puggy for Monday,” he said.
“When it gets like that it can be tough but given we don’t have to travel I think all of mine will be starting at this stage.”
