Nuggety two-year-old Not Usual Trip made the
best possible start to his future racing career when he claimed victory on
debut at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Warmly supported by punters off the back of a tidy performance at the Avondale
trials earlier in the month, Not Usual Trip gave his supporters no cause for
alarm throughout the 1200 metre contest.
Bustled to share the lead with race favourite Embellish in the early rush for
positions, the Stryker colt hugged the rail around the home bend before drawing
away in the closing stages to win by a comfortable 3-length margin.
Embellish chased hard but had to settle for the runner-up spot from Ohceedee
who made good ground late to grab third.
The victory was the first in a winning treble for his trainers Donna Logan
& Chris Gibbs who produced Qiji Phoenix and Tavidream to take out two on
the day's feature events, the Champagne Stakes and Championship Stakes respectively,
later in the programme.
"We've been very patient with him and he had trialled up nicely for us," said
Logan after the race.
"He's shown us a fair bit at home although we thought the favourite was
obviously the one to beat.
"He did everything perfectly and was very professional."
Logan was quick to acknowledge the work of daughter Samantha and her partner
Craig Thornton who had been involved with the colt during his preparation.
"He had a little issue a while back so I sent him to Samantha and Craig down in
Cambridge," she advised.
"They did a lot of work with him at the gates after he had reared up at his
first trial and hit his head.
"They did a good job with him. He's had a couple more trials since then and today
we got the job done."
Three Bridges foundation sire Stryker has already made a big impression in New
Zealand as the sire of New Zealand Derby winner Rangipo and Not Usual Trip may
add to his reputation.
Not Usual Trip is the third winner from Fandanita (IRE) and was a $32,000 Magic
Millions Adelaide purchase before being re-offered at the Magic Millions Gold
Coast 2YO's in Training Sale where he made $130,000 for Sherwood Lodge.