Steve and Kirsty Lawrence celebrated on the big stage at Trentham on Saturday with her $2,600 gavelhouse purchase Pep Torque winning the $40,000 WRC Gazely Mercedes Benz Handicap while paying $71.
One of nine gavelhouse.com purchases at the Lawrence's Waipukurau-based stable, the now dual winning son of Nadeem was purchased in June 2017 and has now earnt $36,565 in prize money, returning his more than 14 times his purchase price.
Jumping from a wide barrier jockey Charlotte O'Beirne rode Pep Torque forward from the gates to find cover behind the leader. Easing forward from the 800m mark, Pep Torque ran down the leader to win by a half-length with the stable expectant that the step up to the mile was going to suit the gelding well.
"We were quietly confident going into it, the last two jockeys who rode him thought he would suit a mile so we thought he was a chance, "commented Lawrence.
"Over the last 600m he really put his best work in, it was a great result from our stable favourite."
"He's pulled up really well and didn't leave an oat so we will look to back him up this weekend at Trentham."
"We currently have seven in work, six of those are gavelhouse.com purchases. We bought a Smart Missile four-year-old gelding who has had a couple of trials and will be racing soon and we are looking forward to seeing him go around."
Fellow bargain gavelhouse.com buy Sheezallmine also added her second win to her record on Friday at Tauranga. The $1,000 Super Easy filly remains unbeaten for young trainer Daniel Miller and has banked $20,310 to date.
The latest gavelhouse.com New Zealand auction is online now with thirteen Lots on the market as of Monday morning. Bidding closes tonight (Monday 21 January) from 7pm.
Off the back of 100% clearance and two Lots selling for in excess of $20,000 in the last Aussie sale, entries for the next gavelhouse.com Australia auction close tonight 7pm AEDT. Call +61396144882 or emails Josh@gavelhouse.com or Shona@gavelhouse.comto discuss your options or for assistance for listing.