Local trainer Lance Robinson admitted he wasn’t quite sure where to look halfway down the straight in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.
Robinson had saddled up stable duo Live Drama and Khimar War in the day’s second black-type feature and with 600m to run both of his chances were looking like they would be right in the fight at the business end of the contest.
That judgement proved spot on as Live Drama scooted up the inner on the point of the home turn for rider Kavish Chowdhoory and took control from then on to score handsomely by just on two lengths from her stablemate who had trouble finding clear air at a crucial stage before storming into second for Tina Comignaghi.
Robinson had found it hard to split the pair before the race but had leant towards Live Drama without total conviction.
“I really thought both horses were very big chances although I did lean a little towards Live Drama as I think she may just have a touch more class than Khimar War,” he said.”
“In the end she really showed her class after a top ride by Kavish.
“He took the initiative to track up along the fence when they were all going wide and when she got to the front, she ran away.
“I was trying to watch them both but ended up on Khimar War to see if he could get second as I knew she had it won with 200m to run.
“It is just a fantastic result for us and very satisfying.”
Robinson will now send Live Drama to the spelling paddock, however he would like to keep Khimar War ticking along with an eye to races coming up on the new Riccarton synthetic track.
“She (Live Drama) has been up since November, so she deserves a break now,” he said.
“She has done a great job for us and while she is out I can sit down with her owners and put a plan together for next season.
“Khimar War is a gross type who I’d like to set for a couple of $30,000 races coming up on the synthetic track.
“He is a gross type who can get away from you when he is spelling, so he will get a break at some stage, but not for too long as we want to keep the weight off him as much as possible.”
By Ghibellines, who was also represented by race one winner Golden Harvest, Live Drama has now won seven of her 22 starts and over $172,000 in prizemoney for her ownership group that includes Robinson and his wife Christine. – NZ Racing Desk
