A textbook ride from in-form jockey Jasmine Fawcett aided eight-year-old mare Honesty to land the prize in the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui on Saturday.
The mare provided trainer Leda Beck with a breakthrough flat stakes victory.
The Winton horsewoman has previously enjoyed good success with stable stalwart Firoden and Grand National Hurdle (4200m) winner Gargamel.
“It was a big thrill,” Beck said. “My previous stakes win was Gargamel winning the Grand National.”
Beck wasn’t on-track at Wingatui on Saturday and had to defer duties to her husband Allan.
“My daughter was competing at the Gore A&P Show so I had to take her there and I suppose drew the short straw by not going to the races,” she said.
“My husband Allan took the mare up and he had an entourage that went with him so they had a great day.
“My daughter went quite well but a $50 ribbon probably doesn’t compare to an $80,000 race.
“It was actually Gargamel that was the horse we took to the show, so it was quite fitting I guess.”
Sent out a $21 chance, Honesty enjoyed a perfect trail behind the pace-setting Wannabe 'N' Paris and despite being a little flat-footed just prior to straightening, rallied in the straight to defeat Riviera Rock and Leave It To Me.
“Jasmine was so positive. The mare hadn’t been getting off the gate that well and I thought she would have to go back from the draw (10). Instead she went forward and much to my surprise was able to find the rail. It was a perfect ride,” Beck said.
“Going up in distance really suits her as she is just getting older and more dour. She is just thriving on the racing.
“She has that wee lapse in her races, even over a mile, and then kicks again. It looks like she is taking a couple of breaths before she gets back into it.
“She is just so honest – hence her name I suppose.”
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Honesty is a daughter of Postponed and the unraced Mossman mare Requiem Moss.
The second-hand stayer was originally trained by Team Rogerson before a stint with Lynda German and is raced by Aucklander Steve Waters.
Honesty is now likely to contest the Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) on February 18.
“The showjumping championship are on in two weeks – the same day as the Invercargill Gold Cup, but I am probably best to stay away by the looks of it,” Beck quipped.
Meanwhile, Beck, who works around a dozen horses, confirmed stablemate Firoden is having a break at present.
“He got a nasty cut on his leg and I had to treat him with antibiotics, so he was always going to miss Saturday’s race. He will keep.” – NZ Racing Desk
