Star Ballot shines at Riccarton
Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman were confident of a bold showing from Star Ballot (NZ) (Tarzino) at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday, and the gelding duly delivered when taking out the Betavet Natural Solutions Open (2200m).
The father-and-son duo weren’t shy in sharing their opinion pre-race and punters heeded their advice, backing the eight-year-old gelding into a $3.30 favourite.
The son of Tarzino settled midfield under jockey Matt Cartwright and the pair stalked Purple Prose (NZ) (Embellish) for much of the journey. Cartwright presented Star Ballot four wide at the top of the home straight where leader Possess (Pierata) still looked full of running, however, Star Ballot dug deep and was able to reel in the Kevin Myers-trained gelding to win by a short neck.
“He is a beautiful horse and I love how tough he is,” Cartwright said. “I am proud of the horse.”
Michael Pitman was effusive in his praise for Star Ballot and Cartwright post-race.
“He is my favourite horse and he has been for a long time,” Pitman said. “He is a cool dude and he tries hard.
“Matt suits the horse and he has been really good for us. I said to him a fortnight ago ‘don’t worry, the middle day of the national meeting will be the reward day for both of us’.”
Pitman was also glowing about his local synthetic track and the prizemoney on offer on the middle day of the Grand National Festival of Racing.
“It’s great money,” he said. “Sometimes I just wonder why other trainers don’t support the polytrack. This is the best polytrack in the world.”
The stable was also successful earlier in the day when Cartwright guided home Ogun (Alabama Express) to win the Canterbury Equine Clinic Maiden (1200m).
Meanwhile, Central Districts amateur jockey Scotty Macnab scored a rewarding victory in the Nautical Insurance Grand National Amateur Championship (2200m) aboard the Kevin Myers-trained Little Thief (NZ) (Dundeel).
“I have had a go at this for a while now and this is the first one that I have won, so it has been a long time coming,” the 60-year-old hoop said.
“I used to come down and spend all week down here, tried my hardest and usually finished further down the track, so today is very nice.”
