Progressive galloper Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) delivered on punter’s expectations when the race favourite ($2.40) took out the Seaton Family Memorial Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton in a driving finish.
The Sharon Robertson-prepared six-year-old enjoyed a drop in class in Saturday’s contest on his home track after his three previous starts in stakes company yielded midfield finishes as luck didn’t go his way.
With leading South Island rider Tina Comignaghi aboard, the son of Haradasun settled in his customary rearward position before inching his way around the field approaching the home turn.
Matscot quickly joined issue with the leaders at the 300m and established what was a winning break before holding off the late challenges of In Vogue (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and North Island raider Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) to register his sixth career victory with five of them coming at the venue.
Comignaghi, who had ridden the horse for the first time when he ran sixth in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at his last start, was delighted she could guide him home on this occasion.
“He loves Riccarton and his is a very tough horse who doesn’t give in,” Comignaghi said.
“I rode him at Wingatui then galloped him between races at Ashburton last week and he gave me the feel he had improved and was ready to win.
“The pace was a little slow and he was quite fresh so I had to let him creep into it and he got to the front quite quickly.
“When they came at him he just tried so hard and wouldn’t give in.
“There will be some improvement in him and I think he has the pick of some nice races coming up in the next couple of months as he won’t mind a little cut in the ground.”
Matscot is out of the five-race winner Bewarned (NZ) (Danske) and has now won six of his 25 starts and over $161,000 for co-owners Alan Reeves, Ross Falloon and Robertson.
His extended family includes outstanding racemare Dare (NZ) (Three Legs) who numbered the Gr.2 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) amongst her eight career victories before it was upgraded to Group One status.
