Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner admitted to doubting Richard Stomper’s (NZ) (El Roca) prospects before and during the LOVERACING.NZ Remembering Grey Way (1600m) on Sunday, but the talented six-year-old kicked off his new campaign with a tenacious front-running victory on his home track.
It was the first raceday appearance since the beginning of March for the El Roca gelding, who was a last-start fifth behind Our Echo, Perfect Scenario, Matscot and He’s A Doozy in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui.
Richard Stomper was a well-supported $4.40 chance for his first-up assignment in open company on Sunday, and his regular rider Brandon May allowed him to stride forward and take up the lead within the first 100m.
After controlling the race up to the home turn, Richard Stomper looked vulnerable at the top of the straight as Sir Albert cruised up alongside him.
But just when it seemed like he was beaten, Richard Stomper summoned a second wind. He clawed his way back level with Sir Albert and locked horns with him in a head-bobbing duel to the line. In the end he snatched a tough victory by a nose, with Sir Albert finishing two lengths ahead of the third-placed Charbano.
Richard Stomper was bought for only $900 from a Gavelhouse.com auction in February of 2023. He has now had 23 starts for five wins, six placings and $119,670 in stakes.
“That was a nice way to kick off a new campaign,” Faulkner said. “I wasn’t sure about him first-up over the 1600m today, I thought that might be a bit far for him when he didn’t have that raceday fitness.
“It wasn’t the plan to try to lead all the way either, he’s not normally a front-runner, so it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. But luckily he had quite an easy time in the lead for most of the race, so he had a bit left to give when he was challenged in the straight. He fought really well.”
Faulkner identified the $50,000 Ashburton Cup (1600m) on October 11 as a potential next step.
“I have to admit I haven’t looked that far beyond this race, I wanted to see how he’d go first-up before making any plans,” she said. “He’s nominated for the Howden Insurance Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) and Livamol Classic (Gr.1, 2040m) up north, but he’s a long way down the order of entry for those and unlikely to get a start. So we’ll see if we can find something else that’s suitable. Maybe something like the Ashburton Cup could be a nice race to work towards.”
An eye-catching runner in Sunday’s race was the fourth placegetter Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking). The seven-year-old son of Shocking was having his first start for Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston, having previously won five races for Darryn and Briar Weatherley including the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m) at Trentham in 2023.
Ess Vee Are holds a nomination for the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November, for which the TAB rates him a $26 chance.