Scott Base Wins G2 Japan Trophy at Tauranga

Media Release - Saturday March 21

Injury plagued galloper Scott Base gave a glimpse of his undoubted talent when he dominated proceedings over the closing stages of Saturday’s Group II  Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga.

Scott Base - image Trish DunnellSuccessful in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) and the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) when prepared by Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, Scott Base was transferred to Jamie Richards last season after a long lay-off following an unplaced run in the 2018 Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.

Having just his sixth start for Richards and wearing blinkers for the first time in his current campaign, the Dalghar five-year-old took up a handy position behind a solid tempo set up by race favourite The Mitigator and was travelling peaches and cream throughout for rider Danielle Johnson.

The class performer was bolting approaching the home bend and once angled clear by Johnson he put the result beyond doubt in a few big bounds, racing away to win untouched by nearly three lengths from the fast finishing pair of Polly Grey and Ocean Billy.  

Richards, who wasn’t on-course having kept him himself away after only returning to New Zealand last Sunday, was delighted with the result.

“I am absolutely stoked to see the old horse back to his best after all the problems he has had,” Richards said.

“Chris Rutten (part-owner) has been a big supporter of mine since I’ve been training so to get another good race for him is a great result.

“I also thought it was a terrific ride by Danielle as he is a horse who has his issues getting out of the barriers and she had him up and travelling straight away, so it was a top effort.”

Richards has been keen to space the races for his charge as he believes he operates best on the fresh side and had some big plans earlier in his campaign that didn’t quite come to fruition.

“I’ve resisted putting the hood on him as I wanted to save that for a while,” he said.

“We thought he was just the type that could tear off a race like the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m) or Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) fresh-up wearing the hood but he just didn’t quite get to where we would have liked so we stepped back and had a rethink.

“We will wait to see how he pulls up but a race like the Easter Handicap (Gr.2, 1600m) next month at Ellerslie looks a natural target now he has hit top form.”

Raced by Chris Rutten, John Norwood, Joanna and John Frew, Scott Base was purchased by Rutten for $70,000 from the Brighthill Farm draft at the 2016 Select yearling Sale at Karaka.

From a family that features Group One winners Outback Prince and Hotel Grand, Scott Base has now won five of his 21 starts and just over $734,000 in prizemoney.

While Richards claimed the feature at Tauranga, stable star Te Akau Shark was game in defeat when coming from back and wide to finish third in a sedately run Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill behind Dreamforce and fellow Kiwi The Bostonian.  - NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy Gr2 1600m

Tauranga Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:35.36
1
Scott Base
- 5g Dalghar (FR) x Extra Celestial (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: D S Johnson 57
2
2.8
Polly Grey
- 5m Azamour (IRE) x Allanah (NZ) (Zenno Rob Roy (JPN))
Tnr: Ms K Fawcett Rdr: S R Weatherley 55.5
3
3.3
Ocean Billy
- 4g Ocean Park (NZ) x Cool Storm (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: W K Pomare Rdr: J J Fawcett 57
4
3.6
The Mitigator
- 5g Master Of Design (AUS) x Charming Ruby (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: P N McKay Rdr: S M Mc Kay 60
5
3.7
Watch This Space
- 8g Elusive City (USA) x Multi Tasker (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: W P Hillis Rdr: S T Collett 57
6
6.5
Nasha Riva
- 4m Shocking (AUS) x Loviste (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: J C Pender Rdr: L H Satherley 55
7
6.8
Go Nicholas
- 8g Danroad (AUS) x Witches Britches (NZ) (Exploding Prospect (USA))
Tnr: Ms S Hale Rdr: M T Coleman 57
8
8.0
Zacada
- 7g Zabeel (NZ) x Lacada (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: Ms M Falconer Rdr: C J Grylls 58
9
16.0
Vin De Dance
- 5g Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Explosive Dancer (NZ) (San Luis (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 57.5
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