3 days ago
He's Tunza Grunt relishes track conditions
Stephanie Faulkner was in the spotlight on her home track of Phar Lap Raceway yesterday, collecting a fitting victory for the connections of He's Tunza Grunt in the Waimate Cup (1600m).
The meeting was initially set to be run on Sunday but, after heavy rain through the week, it was rescheduled yesterday, and that was telling in the testing track conditions on course.
One runner who was always going to appreciate the ground was He's Tunza Grunt, Faulkner's four-win galloper who came into the cup underrated after resuming over 1200m in May.
Riccarton visitor Iffididit was backed into odds-on favouritism and was prominent early from an outside barrier, while jockey Brandon May opted to settle near the tail of the field aboard He's Tunza Grunt.
Along the back straight, outsider Quartz Queen put a big margin on her rivals, but began to tire at the 600m and Iffididit and Midnight Runner hit the lead turning for home.
Iffididit kicked clear at the 200m but was very wayward in the closing stages, just as He's Tunza Grunt came powering over the top to score impressively by 1¼ lengths.
Faulkner had been slightly sceptical on entering the open contest early in his new campaign, but was thrilled to pull off the win.
"I thought this may have been a bit ambitious second-up, but he's an older horse and didn't have a long spell, and being a lighter-framed horse, he's come back pretty fit," she said.
"He loves those loose, heavy tracks and he's pretty tough.
"It was great to win today. I haven't really looked at the programme but I'll be doing that now.
"He was getting back down into 65 grade again, but he'll be back up near open company now."
A son of Pure Champion out of an unraced Encosta De Lago mare Sacred Jewel, He's Tunza Grunt has now earned over $100,000 for Diana Goodeve, a Waimate local and long-time supporter of the club alongside her late husband, Bob.
"It was a lovely win for Diana. She is from Waimate and they have put a lot of time and money over the years into supporting the Waimate Club," Faulkner said.
"I haven't won this as a trainer before, and I actually ran second in it riding one of Bob and Diana's horses years ago, back in the early '90s.
"It's probably one of Diana's lifelong dreams to win this race, and I know Bob will be up there smiling."
Earlier in the meeting, Faulkner won the opener with a new addition to her stable in Storms Ahead.
Formerly trained by co-owner Clinton Isdale, Storms Ahead was first-up since running at Pukekohe in October, but was well-backed in his southern debut closing at $2.40. — News Desk
By Jess de Lautour
