Kirinata and Jackson Matthews (left) emerge from the late afternoon grandstand shadows, picture Sporptpix.com.au
The Paul Perry-trained Kirinata did what it does best on Saturday in the $70,000 Chiko Handicap (BM80) (1200m) at Rosehill, he got to the lead and wouldn’t anyone past.
Ridden by Jackson Matthews, Kirinata jumped well from barrier 10 and was hunted straight to the lead which he would not relinquish.
In the straight Kirinata wanted to drift slightly and that brought his rivals into the mix but luckily they weren’t up to it and Kirinate held on to score a strong all-the-way win.
At the line the margin was three quarters of a length to Whitlam (Robl) who finished strongly with a further half neck to Earnest Ernest (Brown) who again loomed up to win but failed to see the race out.
The overall time was 1.12.83 with the last 600m run in 35.81. Kirinata paid $9.90 with NSWTAB.
“He won nice,” Perry’s son Shannon said. “It was nice for him and nice for the team at home.”
Kirinata is by Stratum out of Salsify and is owned by T W Wallace, Mrs D Wallace, J W Wallace, Miss H A Wallace, P M Perry & Ms C G Collis. Her record now improves to seven wins and four minors from 27 starts.
In the last of the day, $70,000 Four'n Twenty Angus Handicap (BM85) (1900m), the Peter Moody-trained Lethal Arrow came away with the winners’ cheque.
Ridden by Josh Parr, Lethal Arrow jumped well from barrier nine and was hunted forward to take up the lead on settling.
In running, Lethal Arrow travelled comfortably with his head on his chest and it wasn’t until the field hit the home turn did his rivals decided to make a move.
That decision paid dividends, $17.10 on NSWTAB to be exact, for the Moody camp as Lethal Arrow kicked strongly and held off the late challengers to score.
The official margins were a neck to Our Barney (Clipperton) with a further neck to Peck (Brown) in third place. The overall time was 2.00.11 with the last 600m run in 36.82.
“He did ride it a treat,” stable representative Claire Cunningham said. “That is just what we wanted him to do, he got in front and had an easy lead in the end.
“He put a few lengths on them and made them chase then battled on well.
“We were deciding whether to send him home or not, but he is better on the heavy ground and he is working so well up here and he has got OK form on dry ground, so we decided to keep him up here and see what he could do.”
Lethal Arrow is by Snaadee (USA) out of the Snippets mare In Bad Taste and is owned by Oti Racing (Mgr: T Henderson & S O'Donnell), P Bartholomew, R Bartholomew, M Tedeschi, J Boyd, J Hicks, S O'Leary, Palomine, Black Hawk & Mt Isa Rodeo.
Winning double for Josh Parr, picture Sportpix.com.au
Kirinata, race 7, picture ATC
Lethal Arrow, race 8, picture ATC