A thrilling finish to the rescheduled Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1200m) went in favour of local Riverton filly Better Shared who added some valuable black type to her career record at just her fifth start.
The Kelvin Tyler-prepared daughter of Overshare had cleared maidens in fine fashion at her previous run, winning over the same 1200m as Saturday’s feature event when leading all the way.
Apprentice Amber Riddell adopted similar tactics against her three-year-old rivals and led them a merry chase as she strung the field out throughout the middle stages before turning for home in front with a full head of steam.
It was apparent at the 250m that nothing was making ground from back in the field as Better Shared’s nearest challenger was Riccarton visitor Queen Of Sheba who had been stalking her before angling for one last shot at the leader in the concluding stages.
Despite tiring late Better Shared had enough in reserve to hold out Queen Of Sheba by half a head at the line, with race favourite Miss Starlight holding third comfortably from the late closing Cool Aza Rene.
Bred by Rayner and Lynn Bonnington under their Little River Thoroughbreds Partnership, Better Shared is raced by her breeders alongside Allan and Maree Tyler.
Rayner and Lynn were at home watching the race on television with Rayner admitting there was confidence in the camp before the race.
“We are just over the moon and couldn’t be happier, especially as we were quietly confident she would run well,” Rayner Bonnington said.
“She had run against some of the good ones early on and we found she had a growth in her throat that had to be removed. We had that done and gave her plenty of time off with Kelvin bringing her up slowly after her recovery.
“When we saw this race had been rescheduled it seemed to fit in nicely for her as the win she had to break maidens was good and she had trained on well since then.”
Bonnington was also quick to praise the ride of Riddell who had told the team her plan would be to go forward and put the pressure on her rivals.
“Amber picked it nicely as she told us she wanted to jump and run and try and be first around the home bend,” he said.
“Funnily enough her older half-sister Radiant Reach likes to be two lengths last in the running, not in front like this girl, but the way the track played being in or near the lead was a real advantage and she just kept going.
“I’m not too sure what Kelvin wants to do next but the reports we have had said she pulled up a treat so there is a nice Pearl Series bonus race on Monday where we could see her next.”
The third SW for I Am Invincible stallion Overshare, who is now in Indonesia, Better Shared is out of the More Than Ready mare Eagle’s Reach and comes from an extended family that includes the former top colt on the 2007-2000 New Zealand two-year-old Free Handicap, Fully Fledged who won the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie as a juvenile. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
