Central Districts filly No Rain Ever (No Nay Never) bounced back from an uncharacteristically poor performance seven days ago at Riccarton to secure a hard-fought stakes victory when taking out the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).
The daughter of No Nay Never had been strongly supported in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) but never really figured when finishing ninth behind impressive winner Epee Beel (Epaulette), who brought up co-trainer Michael Pitman’s 2000th New Zealand winner.
Trainer Bill Thurlow was prepared to overlook the run and with apprentice Lily Sutherland in the saddle for the first time, his charge repaid that faith courtesy of a peach of a ride.
Sutherland had the filly back beyond midfield against the rail in the early stages before sneaking closer at the 800m and then angling into a gap wider out rounding the home bend.
No Rain Ever burst to the lead and despite being hotly challenged by Sense of Timing (NZ) (Time Test) over the final 100m she found enough to hold her at bay with fellow northern raider Race Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) running on nicely to take third.
Sutherland was thrilled with the win and was quick to acknowledge the connections of the filly and the trust they placed in her.
“I’m just very thankful to be put on her,” Sutherland said.
“I was supposed to ride her more forward but I thought I’d better not panic (when she was further back).
“She has come through them really easily and got the front too soon, wobbled around but it was a really good win.
“Bill (Thurlow) has supported me since I was a 4kg claimer and I’m very thankful to him.”
No Rain Ever is a daughter of Group Two winner and multiple Group One placegetter November Rain (NZ) (Stravinsky) and is raced by her breeders, former New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Matthew Goodson and his wife Dianna Perron.
Her extended family includes a host of International stakes performers including American Group One winners Will’s Way, Willa On The Move and Tizway (Tiznow).
The victory took her career record to three wins and five placings from 12 starts and over $136,000 in prizemoney.
