Trentham has long been Michael and Matthew Pitman’s favourite track, and that sentiment was further enhanced on Saturday after they recorded a memorable double at the Upper Hutt track.
The meeting kicked off in perfect fashion for the Riccarton trainers, with the father-and-son partnership recording their 600th victory together when Enterprise Gem took out the Happy Hire 2100.
“We thought we would get it (600 wins) at the Coast but it couldn’t happen at a better place, this is my favourite track, I just love coming here,” Michael Pitman said.
“This horse has been a certainty beaten in his last few starts, but they were on tight-turning tracks.
“It is especially pleasing because Diane (wife) and Matthew race this horse. My very good friend Graeme Rogerson sent him down to us and we lease him off Rogie, so it is very special.”
Two races later Pitman was back in the winner’s circle welcoming back Rosso after his victory in the Gr.3 Totara Lodge Trentham Stakes (2100m).
The Irish-bred son of Camelot had won three of his previous five starts since joining the Pitman barn earlier this season and the five-year-old gelding was backed into $3.50 favouritism by punters.
Like Enterprise Gem, Rosso was piloted by Australian-based hoop Daniel Stackhouse, who settled his charge midfield. They followed He’s A Doozy into the race from the 400m and Stackhouse presented Rosso beautifully down the centre of the track where he showed his class when running out to a half-length victory over a fast-finishing Royal Flower.
“He is a beautiful stayer,” Stackhouse said. “The Pitman team have done a fantastic job in getting him here in perfect order.
“He began well and the race shaped well for him. We made a mid-race move to get a little bit closer in the running, but he just travelled the whole way, he has got a beautiful momentum stride on him and we used that to our advantage and let the horse that we were following take us into the race. I asked him to extend late and he was able to do that.”
Rosso has subsequently shortened into $3.20 favourtism on the TAB’s futures market for the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham in a fortnight, and Stackhouse has no qualms about the step-up in distance.
“It took me a while to pull him up so I think two miles won’t worry him at all, he switched off great,” he said.
“He has ticked every box going forward into that race, I have just got to talk with Michael and the team about the weight, so we will have a little think about that (whether Stackhouse returns to ride).”
Michael Pitman was rapt with the win and is looking forward to returning to Trentham in a fortnight with his progressive stayer.
“We will be away home tomorrow, he will be back in his own paddock tomorrow night, and we will be back here in two weeks,” he said.
“Bring on two miles, it will be great.”
Pitman has plenty of memorable moments at Trentham, including back-to-back Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) wins with Enzo’s Lad, and Saturday’s results have added to that growing list.
“I am 70 years old but I have a love for this game and I love training winners. I am still as keen as I have ever been,” he said.
“Matthew and I drove up with the truck on Thursday together and Diane flew up. The three of us are up here today because we thought we would have a special day together, and so it has proven.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
