Class pair dominate at Te Rapa

The Property Brokers Taumarunui 3YO (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday looked a race in two between classy geldings Swiss Prince (NZ) (El Roca) and Quondo (Wootton Bassett), and that is how it panned out.

The pair dominated proceedings with Swiss Prince leading Quondo on his outside and the rest of the seven-horse field trailing in their wake.

Rounding the home bend, they skipped clear, with the Andrew Forsman-trained Quondo putting a neck or more on his rival and held a strong gallop to the post to defeat Swiss Prince, who never stopped trying.

Forsman’s racing manager Joe Walker was quick to pay tribute to the resilience of the runner-up whilst acknowledging Quondo’s talent, particularly on the testing Heavy10 surface.

“He is a good horse (Swiss Prince) and has performed in good three-year-old company,” Walker said.

“I think the key for us was beginning well and being able to sit outside him, as there was no tempo, and just a sprint home where we know he can quicken in these conditions.

“We’re not too sure what to do with him now as we were keen to give him one more today and to go against his own age group up to seven furlongs (1400m). He got there and quickened past them but wandered about a little bit, so he has a lot to learn but is very exciting.”

Jockey George Rooke echoed the sentiments of Walker and felt his mount may even have been waiting for a greater challenge in the home straight.

“The way the track is playing we had to be on speed, and we went slow which played into the two leaders’ hands,” he said.

“Turning for home I had a plenty of horse in hand, but he just waited for a bit of company.

“I think he would be better over a mile (1600m) with some cover where we could take a little more time.”

The victory was the third in a row for Quondo and his fourth career success overall, and he has now collected $107,560 in prizemoney for his connections.

Bred by Sunlight Services NZ Ltd, Quondo is by Wootton Bassett out of Group Two performer Lazumba (Sebring) and is a half-brother to Group Two placegetter Latino Blend (NZ) (Hinchinbrook).