Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Progressive mare Afterglo got her preparation back on track in impressive style in the deteriorating conditions at Matamata on Saturday.
A winner on debut at the course in April, she has been patiently handled by local trainer Stephen Autridge and appeared first-up this spring in a competitive Rating 65 contest at Ellerslie, where she finished below expectations in 11th.
Heeding advice from jockey Matt Cameron, Autridge moved on to the Colliers Waikato Rural Real Estate (1400m) with the daughter of Ardrossan, who started the eventual favourite in a field halved in size by scratchings.
Ridden on this occasion by Opie Bosson, Afterglo settled a good rhythm midfield with cover, while the second elect Zenith took the early lead. After the pace steadied, Wiremu Pinn opted to go forward with Just A Tipple and he had stretched out to an eight-length lead at the 600m.
Seeing what was unfolding, Bosson got moving on Afterglo and she looked to be the only chance of chasing down Just A Tipple on the corner, and she did just that, skipping through the heavy ground to take over and charge clear by 2 ¼ lengths, with a further seven lengths back to Zenith in third.
Autridge was hoping she would have the ability to catch the tearaway leader, which he identified was no easy feat.
“We were hoping we could, but it is a hard job to do and the horse that does it often comes off second best,” he said. “We were pretty rapt in the effort she put in.
“We were expecting a big run at Ellerslie but she was cramped for room coming up the straight, which she’d never experienced before.
“Matty Cameron said to forget about the run and make sure she’s got plenty of room next time, and he couldn’t ride her this time, so we grabbed Opie and he’s done a great job.
“I’ve always been happy with the mare, she seems to be above average and loves wet ground.”
There are likely to be options on rain-affected ground going forward, but Autridge is confident she can bring her form on to a better surface if need be.
“The next month or six weeks will have wet tracks here and there, but we’re not frightened of better tracks,” he said.
“She trialled well at Ellerslie and she handled the firmer ground there, so things are looking pretty good for the next couple of months. Who knows, if she does handle good tracks, we might find a nice race over Christmas somewhere.”
The meeting set to stage the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) was abandoned following Afterglo’s win, but Autridge had already scratched his chance in the feature, Livid Sky.
A multiple Group Two performer, she had been eye-catching first-up when third behind Tardelli at Ellerslie, and Autridge is hopeful of another fruitful campaign for the five-year-old.
“She’s ready, it was only the conditions that made us pull her out,” he said. “She’s only let us down once and that was on a heavy track, so we weren’t going to risk her.
“Her sectionals were outstanding (at Ellerslie) and that was against very good horses, so where she is in the handicaps, if we get in the right race and everything goes our way, she’s a chance of getting some good black-type.
“You’d think they’ll be rescheduling this race, so we’ll be looking at that.”
Looking ahead to Avondale on Wednesday, Autridge will have a filly stepping out on debut in the Pearl Series (1200m) in Shiniqua.
By in-form sire Hello Youmzain, Shiniqua has shown good ability in three trial appearances.
“She’s definitely trialled very well, she appears to have come on nicely and she’s in that race because she’s Pearl Series (eligible),” Autridge said.
“It’s a big ask against older maideners, but she shows a fair bit, so we’ve got our fingers crossed.”
