Hard off one of the best days of his career at Riccarton on Saturday, you’d forgive Canterbury jockey Terry Moseley for lacking motivation heading to Timaru for an industry Thursday meeting.
But nothing could be further from the truth for 54-year-old Moseley, who is relishing a purple patch of form that has him on the cusp of 1200 wins.
He goes into the Phar Lap Raceway meeting on 1198 wins and has nine rides to chase down the milestone and become just the 21st rider to achieve that number of wins in New Zealand.
“Getting to 1200 wins has been something I’ve had my eye on for a wee while and it would mean a lot to me to do it. There’s not that many that have done it,” Moseley said.
Moseley edged closer to the milestone with a winning treble on Saturday, which included guiding Burgie to win the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) and North Canterbury Cup success on Volvik, making for a satisfying day at the office.
“You’d have to put it right up there,” Moseley said.
“It was a good day but I’ve had a good trot lately with Henley winning the OTD Mile Series Final which was a good effort, El Gladiador won the Hororata Cup and Irish Girl winning those two races (Gr.3 South Island Breeders’ Stakes and Listed Easter Cup).
“But to get three in a day with a Listed race on top, it has to rate right up there. Burgie’s effort was super. She just trotted up to them and won quite emphatically I thought too.”
While Moseley has nothing of the quality of his Riccarton book at Timaru, he was keen on taking every opportunity to get another win, suggesting the Steven Woodsford-trained Too Ferlaxed had appeal in the McIntosh Catering Stayers (2200m) after an encouraging last-start sixth.
“He should be a nice ride in that race,” Moseley said.
“I’ve ridden a few nice ones for Steven over the years. He’s always got a handy one around him and I won the Hororata Cup for him on Oregon Pine a few years ago now (in 1999).”
Moseley will also ride at Wingatui on Sunday, where his mounts include Lugano’s Ace, a narrow maiden he rode at Invercargill in February and the in-form Glamour.
