Former champion jockey David Walsh scored his first training success in more than two decades when Leah Hemi saluted aboard Zelia at Riccarton last month, and the local horseman is hoping the same combination can put in a repeat performance at the Christchurch track on Wednesday.
While more known for his decorated riding career, Walsh also had an impressive training record, headlined by Zirna’s win in the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha in 2003.
Walsh left training following the 2003/04 season, but continued riding until finally hanging up his boots in 2016 after netting 2262 wins in the saddle and transitioned into a career as a riding mentor for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
Following six years in that role, and a period of time away from racing, Walsh returned to the training ranks last year, with Zelia being his first runner, and it was apt that she scored his resuming victory last month.
“It was really good. I think my last winner was a horse called Daayaan at Ellerslie,” Walsh said. “It was good to see the filly fulfil the promise she had shown in the spring, she was pretty devastating in her trial (winning by 12 lengths) and when she raced (on debut) she went a bit average (fifth).
“She had a break and improved a tonne with it, she is a different sort of horse now to what she was back then, she is bigger and stronger, and she just keeps on improving.”
The two-year-old daughter of Fierce Impact will line-up in The Tea House At Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m) on Wednesday and Walsh is expecting another bold showing.
“I am looking forward to another good run,” Walsh said. “It looks like a two-horse race with her and the Te Akau horse (Best Rose), and the Te Akau filly should improve too from her first start. It looks like an exciting race.”
Walsh holds big aspirations with his filly and is hopeful of securing black-type with her before season’s end.
“I have nominated her for the Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) at Trentham,” he said. “She has shown me a lot of ability at home, she is a very strong filly.
“You never know if you are going to be up to them, but I thought we might as well put her in and if she goes well enough in her next couple of runs we will certainly consider it.
“If we think the 1400m might be too far for her at this stage, there are two black-type races here (Riccarton) later in the autumn. There is no shortage of races for her.”
On Sunday, Walsh will head to Ashburton with in-form stablemate Toa Haka, who will bid to break through for an elusive victory after placing in his last three outings.
The Iffraaj gelding joined Walsh’s barn from Te Rapa trainer David Greene in December and he has been impressed with the five-year-old’s progress.
“I have got Toa Haka in the 65 1400m,” Walsh said. "He has been racing well for a couple of seconds and a third. He has had four starts down here and keeps improving.
“He had a week off since his last run, so whatever he does on Sunday he will improve off, but I am sure he will run well. He is very genuine and can race handy.”
Meanwhile, Walsh is excited about the prospects of another juvenile filly in Loose ‘N’ Vegas, who is set to make her debut in the coming month.
“I have got another two-year-old filly that I like by Turn Me Loose,” he said. “She had a trial at Riccarton two weeks ago. We gave her a look around, she hadn’t had a jump-out, she just went straight from the practice gates to the trials, and she did a really good job.
“All going well, she will turn up in a two-year-old race somewhere in the next month or so.
“I am really happy with her and I like her a lot. I expect her to shape up when she goes to the races.”
By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
