West hoping winning Woodville run continues
The last time Te Aroha trainer Sarah West ventured south to Woodville, she came home a winner, and she is hoping she can replicate that feat this weekend.
Grey gelding Juwala gave West her first win as a trainer when winning at the Tararua venue last month, and he will face a sterner test on Sunday when he lines-up against some of the country’s finest jumpers in the One Eye Ota Open Hurdle (3000m).
Since his maiden hurdle win, Juwala acquitted himself in open hurdle company when placing over 3100m at his home track a fortnight later, and pleased West with a game run on the flat over 2100m at Te Rapa last Saturday.
“I was really happy with him (at Te Rapa), it was a bit of a step up for him and he performed well,” West said. “It will be another step up again on Sunday, but he has proved he is ready to be there, so we will give him the opportunity.
“We thought we may as well go back (to Woodville). It is supposed to rain a bit and he quite likes the wet.”
Some loftier targets could be instore for the son of Reliable Man if he performs well this weekend, but West is keeping her feet on the ground and said the horse’s welfare comes first.
“It is only his first season (jumping), but as long as he is happy and racing well, we will keep going,” she said.
One of his rivals on Sunday will be promising jumper Weneedashock, and West will be keeping a close eye on him after recently welcoming his full-sister, Loopy Farooki, to her racing team.
“She is a full to Weneedashock, so I am looking forward to seeing how he goes and if she can live up to his potential,” she said.
A competitive showjumper, West has also added another horse to that team, retired Group One winner On The Bubbles.
West used to strap the son of Brazen Beau when she worked for Te Akau Racing, and she welcomed him back after several of his big wins as a two and three-year-old, including the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m).
“We ended up getting him about three weeks ago,” West said. “We saw him on Facebook and I have fond memories of him, so we thought, ‘why not?’, he can have a good life at our place.
“I will see how he goes hunting and if he wants to do some showjumping there is a spot on the truck for him. I believe he has done a little bit of hunting and trekking. He has been retired for about a year and the guys who had him in the South Island did a little bit with him.”
West is building a healthy collection of off the track thoroughbreds, with former Te Akau gelding Midnight Blue also in her care.
The now 10-year-old gelding won the Gr.3 Perth Cup (2400m) and Listed Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) in Western Australia for trainers Grant and Alana Williams before joining Te Akau Racing, for whom he won the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m).
“I have had him since Christmas time,” West said. “He is my hunter and an extra horse when we want to do something fun."
