Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston picked up a quinella at his home meeting on Friday when The Garrison (NZ) (Alamosa) and Diceland (NZ) (Zacinto) went one-two in the Canterbury Equine Clinic Maiden (1400m).
The Garrison was given a patient ride by apprentice jockey Kozzi Asano, racing towards the rear of the field throughout. Asano was able to pick a path through his rivals down the home straight and ran down stablemate Diceland to win by 1-1/4 lengths, with three quarters of a length back to Klear The Deck in third.
“They are a couple of nice horses,” Carston said. “The Garrison came from the north. I am surprised, as I am sure all the owners are, that he was a maiden for so long. He has gone some good races up north and a change of environment can often help.
“I thought it was a really good ride from Kozzi. He came through them and his best work was late. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won another race.
“Diceland is a pretty progressive filly. She has got a lot less experience than The Garrison. She is going the right way. She has drawn two bad barriers and she has gone two super races. She is a filly to follow.”
Earlier on the card jockey Samantha Wynne parted company with the Carston-trained Kirstofferson and was stood down, but she has come through the incident with just some minor bruising.
“She is okay, there is nothing broken, she is just a little bruised,” Carston said.
