A wide draw and an energy-sapping fast pace were not enough to stop Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in Saturday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.
The speedy son of Charm Spirit had some factors in his favour leading into the $100,000 weight-for-age feature – including the race’s postponement and relocation from last Sunday at Rotorua, where he had never previously raced in his career. Te Rapa has been a happy hunting ground for Johny Johny in recent weeks, and he has now won three races in a row at the Hamilton track.
But once the gates opened in Saturday’s Sweynesse, there was nothing easy about Johny Johny’s task. After jumping well from gate nine, he was driven forward by apprentice jockey Jim Chung, but found himself surrounded by others vying for the lead.
Is That So (NZ) (Sufficient), Laneway Flirting (NZ) (El Roca) and Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock) were all prominent in the early stages, and then Sassy Merlot (NZ) (Burgundy) charged forward out wide to throw down the gauntlet.
It developed into a duel between Johny Johny and Sassy Merlot, who eyeballed each other from the 1000m up to the home turn.
Johny Johny finally shook free of Sassy Merlot at the top of the straight and made his bid for glory, but his efforts began to take their toll coming into the final 100m. Beebeep (NZ) (Vespa), Habana (Zoustar) and Tightlign (NZ) (Align) launched powerful late runs and charged at the tiring leader in the final strides, but Johny Johny dug deep and clung on, winning by a head. The time was a quick 1:09.52.
Johny Johny has now won 10 of his 17 starts and $247,625 in stakes for Cambridge trainers Tim and Margaret Carter, who share ownership with their son Morgan.
The Sweynesse Stakes was the first black-type success for Chung, who was having only his fourth ride at stakes level. The 26-year-old has now ridden 19 winners from just over 320 career rides.
“I’m extremely grateful for all the support they (the Carters) have given me,” Chung said. “They’ve always supported me, ever since I first got to New Zealand.
“Johny Johny was just really honest today. When I saw the wide draw, I was a bit worried, but I didn’t need to worry. He’s just so fast, and all I needed to do was hang on and try to get him home. He has really good speed and always tries so hard.
“He doesn’t care if anyone tries to challenge him in front. He just runs his own race, even if there are others around him. He tried really hard late in the race today. I was confident that he could hold on.”
The Carters were delighted to give their stable apprentice the biggest win of his riding career.
“Good on him, I’m so proud of him,” Margaret Carter said. “I’m proud of both of them.
“We said to Jim that he would probably have to work for the lead, but he was going to have to try to put him there.
“This horse is such a tough little bugger in everything that he does. We might as well try for the Group One sprints over the summer months now – he’s very talented and he’s proving that now. To have 10 wins from 17 starts is brilliant.”
