Stonybreck back to winning from at Riccarton

Handy galloper Stonybreck (Tavistock) bounced back to winning form at Riccarton on Saturday when he held out a host of challengers to capture the Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m) in a blanket finish.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared son of Tavistock hadn’t been seen on the top step of the podium since September last year, but he hasn’t been far away, including at his last start where he finished less than half a length from Toa Haka when fourth in the rich $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge Final (1600m).

Rider Opie Bosson, who was shooting for a winning treble after enjoying success aboard fellow stable runners Zafar (Snitzel) and Insatiable, gave the six-year-old a perfect run in midfield against the rail before angling into a gap shortly after turning for home.

Stonybreck quickly charged to the lead and held on strongly to win by a length over a wall of horses that saw Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel), Tumuch (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), Royal Valour (NZ) (Belardo), Graeme John (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Anderson Bridge (NZ) (Savabeel) finishing with less than a length between the five of them at the winning post.

Bosson admitted a slight mistake at the start by his mount had actually helped with the final result.

“He blundered at the start a little bit, but it probably put us in the perfect spot,” Bosson said.

“He got a nice run through, travelled beautifully and it was just a matter of holding him up until the last bit, where he was too strong.

“He has been running well, trying hard and as he goes on all sorts of tracks which makes him a very consistent horse.”

Bergerson, who is in Australia for a family wedding, was thrilled with the win of a very popular horse in the stable

“He has been running some really good races, knocking on the door, but not getting the rewards of late,” he said.

“Last time he was caught wide and still battled on well to not be beaten by too much and today Opie gave him a top ride and he got the job done.

“He has always been a handy horse, very adaptable, straight forward and always gives 100 percent, so it is always great for the stable when he gets a win on the board.”

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Philip, Stonybreck was purchased out of the Pencarrow Stud draft during the 2021 Book 1 sale at Karaka for $20,000 by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis.

He has now won nine of his 36 starts and over $246,000 in prizemoney.