The
husband and wife training partnership of Shaun and Emma Clotworthy caught their
rivals unaware when they produced August Edition to win the Collinson Forex
Karaka Cup (2200m) at outside odds on Sunday.
More known as winter performer when the tracks are at their deepest, the
Alamosa mare had shown she could perform on a better surface when successful at
Ellerslie two starts ago.
The five-year-old followed that up with a highly creditable performance for sixth
in the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final on New Year's Day before
tackling today's feature event at Ellerslie.
Central Districts rider Rosie Myers was having her first ride on the mare and
produced a peach of an effort to claim victory. Settled nicely in midfield by
Myers, August Edition relaxed nicely before improving into a challenging
position behind the leaders at the 600m mark.
The mare followed Top Prospect through a gap on the inside shortly after
straightening to issue her challenge before outstaying her rival in the run to
the post. Top Prospect held second in a driving finish with race favourite
Charles Road third after racing a touch erratically in the home straight.
"She kind of surprised us three runs back and ran the distance and liked the
harder track which was something we didn't think she would do," said Emma
Clotworthy after the race.
"We thought she might like the firmer track again and her work with stablemate
Diesel was very good, so she deserved a shot at this.
"It tends to be one day at a time with her so it's great for the owners as it
has taken a lot of hard work to get her here. I'm just rapt that today she
could pull it off."
The victory continues a winning role for the Byerley Park conditioners who
produced Diesel to win the $100,000 Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final (2200m)
on 1 January.
Mana Park will offer a half-brother to August Edition, by boom sire Tavistock,
as Lot 385 during the Book 1 catalogue at the upcoming NZB National Yearling
Sale series that commences at Karaka on 28 January. – NZ Racing Desk