By Jonny Turner
The Tuapeka faithful had to wait but Ideal Crown made it worthwhile when she dashed to victory in the finale on Tuapeka Lodge Cup Day.
The three-year-old showed a brilliant turn of foot as she scorched along the Ascot Park passing lane to score for trainer Chelsea Faithful and driver Mark Hurrell.
Ideal Crown is raced by a big group of owners, including four syndicates.
Many of that big group are from the Tuapeka region and involved with the Tuapeka Harness Racing Club.
That became obvious as cheers boomed out from the grandstand as Ideal Crown surged to victory.”
“With this horse and another one I have had for them, they have always asked if they are going to race at our meeting,” Faithful said.
“For her to do it, it is the cherry on top of her winning the way she did.”
Faithful said she couldn’t have asked for a better way for Ideal Crown to prepare for her upcoming targets at Addington.
The filly will race over the New Zealand Cup Carnival before tackling her big spring goal, the New Zealand Oaks on November 20.
The only slight sticking point is which path the three-year-old takes to the race.
“She was going to race on (New Zealand) Cup Day in a rating race if she didn’t win today.”
“I will have to have another look at things now, but she will probably go to the South Of The Waitaki race and then into the Oaks.”
Ideal Crown heads to Addington with a second in the Northern Oaks already on her resume.
Faithful will head north with a filly who has returned bigger and stronger since she tripped to Auckland.
“She might have got faster after her trip north and having a good break over winter.”
“A trip like that would either make or break a horse and she has been great since she’s come back in.”
“Even if she could run second in an Oaks again would be great and to win it would be a dream come true.”
New Zealand Cup Day is the next stop off for Tuapeka Lodge Cup winner, Haley Jaccka.
A quick beginning and positive early tactics from driver Matthew Williamson set up victory in the Tuapeka feature for trainer Brett Gray.
Though the mare has a fine record over shorter trips, her recent results over longer distances have Gray eyeing up the Junior Free-For-All on New Zealand Cup Day.
“She seems to love the longer distances and she is getting the hang of the standing starts,” the trainer said.
“That was the best beginning she has made, today.”
“We will go to the Junior Free-For-All, the pace should be on and hopefully it will suit her.”
The Tuapeka feature trot winner Duchess Maria will be seen even sooner, with the New Zealand Trotting Oaks scheduled for the Friday night before the New Zealand Cup.
The three-year-old showed a brilliant turn of foot when clearing out for the easiest of victories for trainer-driver Nathan Williamson.