It was a welcome return to winning for New Plymouth trainer for Sue Rainford at Wanganui on Thursday when Sunny Sunday (5 B. M. Pyrus – Just Apollo, by Gay Apollo) proved most adept on heavy footing in the Palamountains Nutrition Rating 80 over 2040-metres.
Only ever working a couple of horses, it was Sunny Sunday that last provided Rainford with victory when she cleared Maidens at New Plymouth in October 2009.
At the same venue only four days ago, Sunny Sunday indicated she was nearing her best form, when second-up from a spell she fought hard for third to Polly Petite (Monolith) after racing handy to the pace.
With Buddy Lammas climbing aboard for the Wanganui mount, she again positioned near the lead and refused to shirk the task, finding a length inside the final furlong before working clear comfortably with a one-and-a-half-length advantage at the line.
Porotene Bella (Al Akbar) closed off resolutely for second, with one-length to the favourite, Beau Dane (Danelove), in third, and a head to fourth placed Thatz David (Stark South).
It was a good training performance by Rainford to not have her charge ready to act over a middle distance third up from a spell, but also off a quick backup.
Not only that, Sunny Sunday was racing clearly above her rightful grade, facing the starter with a rating of 67.
That combination of factors and the way she carried on with her gallop past the post suggests she has what it takes to gather further spoils.
Rainford has had plenty of experience training the family having also bred, owned and trained her dam, Just Apollo, and it comes as no surprise that Sunny Sunday possesses a touch of ability.
Just Apollo won nine times, all on slow and heavy footing. She was a dual winner (1994-95) of the Gr2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Pukekohe, while also winning two group three races, including the Rotorua Cup, and scored in the Whakatane Cup at listed level.
Renowned for her low head carriage and tenacity, Just Apollo became a favourite of many during her time of prowess, and it is good to see one of her progeny doing her proud.