26 December 2025
By Mike Love
Wyndham trainer Ricky Gutsell will be clocking up the kilometres with his team over the next five days starting with Hacksaw Ridge today at Westport for the Frank Dooley Memorial Pulse Energy Westport Cup over 3200m.
Three days later Insarchatwist and Still Rockin will head to the Banks Peninsula’s December 29 meeting for the Paul Renwick Joinery Motukarara Christmas Cup. Both are Country Cup races.
Gutsell will be watching his charge Hacksaw Ridge from home in the Westport Cup as he prepares the other two for their Banks Peninsula assignments.
“He (Hacksaw Ridge) went up to Robbie’s (Holmes),” said Gutsell.
The six-year-old A Rocknroll Dance gelding has been sent over for a raid on the Westport Cup and, all things going well, the Reefton Cup on the 30th.
“We’ve never been to the coast before, and I wanted to split them all up.”
Hacksaw Ridge has been racing competitively and thrives on the grass surface.
“Being Country Cup races I thought they would be within his grasp and he shouldn’t be too far off them if he’s right.”
His most recent effort at Winton on December 14 he was caught three wide for the entire 2400m and still clung on bravely for fifth.
“It took a bit out of him, he had a bit of a tough run at Winton.
Gutsell believes the two miles will suit him.
“The further the better. The breed seems to just keep on going.”
Hacksaw Ridge will start favourite today and be driven by Robbie Holmes. Other chances in the event include Ted’s Legacy for trainer/driver Jim Curtin, Semba for Steve and Amanda Telfer, Bryce’s Meddle for Robert and Jenna Dunn and the back marker off 30 Smoke On The Water for trainer Matt Purvis.
“He’ll miss the second day of Westport and go to Reefton on the 30th if he comes through the race okay.”
Hacksaw Ridge, Still Rockin and Insarchatwist are all by A Rocknroll Dance and out of the mare Insar. Between them they have won 27 and over $330,000 in stakes to date.
“We’ll head over to Reefton and watch Hacksaw Ridge after Mot.”
To see the markets for the Westport Cup click here
Race one at Westport gets underway at midday.