Apprentice Liam Kauri has continued a winning association with the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott stable by partnering their smart three-year-old Tristar to victory in the Ambient Group 3YO (1100m) at Te Rapa, his second victory aboard the filly from just two rides.
Kauri, who enjoys a 3kg claim at present, first sat aboard the daughter of Exceedance when piloting her to victory three weeks ago over 1200m at Trentham and made the trip north from his Palmerston North base to link up with her for a second time.
Kauri had the filly perfectly placed behind the pacemaking pair of Pleasuring and Paravane throughout and peeled her into the centre of the track in the run home to make his challenge.
Despite having favourite Honey Badge hot on her tail, Tristar booted clear and powered to the line for a comfortable two length victory from Pleasing who stuck well for second just ahead of Honey Badger.
O’Sullivan was delighted with the filly and reserved special praise for her rider.
“It was a good tough and strong win, aided by a very good ride,” O’Sullivan said.
“Let’s give him (Kauri) plenty of credit and three kilograms off her back was a bid assist.
“I said to Liam she looked like she would lob where she did at the start and it all panned out beautifully for her.”
O’Sullivan hinted the filly may be asked to step up to stakes company against the older mares at her next assignment.
“We will go home and discuss things but there is another three-year-old race coming up soon,” he said.
“We may even have a roll of the dice and have a look at the fillies and mares race at Tauranga (Listed, 1400m on 21 June).”
Kauri admitted the ride had gone perfectly to plan and was keen to share his thoughts on riding for former champion jockey O’Sullivan.
“Everything unfolded perfectly and there wasn’t a lot of thinking that had to be done,” he said.
“As soon as we jumped I was one-off and a great spot to be in and then she did the rest.
“He (O’Sullivan) is a hero of mine and someone I looked up to as a kid, so to be riding for him and getting instructions is awesome.”
Tristar was bred by the Little Avondale Trust and is by Exceedance out of the Pierro mare World Away. That makes her a half-sister to her stakes winning stablemate Karman Line.
Little Avondale offered Tristar in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where she was bought by Wexford Stables for $220,000. Her eight-start career has now produced four wins and $79,385 in stakes. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
