By Jordyn Bublitz
Promising mare Aquila is on a roll, extending her winning streak to four at Cambridge Raceway last night and continuing a memorable run for young Pukekohe trainer Zev Meredith.
Owned by Kenny Baynes, Aquila has become a flagbearer for Meredith’s small but growing team. She has now won six from 28.
Last night’s victory came in the World Drivers Champs Thanks Breckon Farms Mob Pace, after Kate Coppins produced a stellar drive.
From a wide draw, Coppins launched the mare early to cross and take up the running before handing up to Dixieland Delight for the final lap. When the passing lane opened, Aquila showed her trademark tenacity, diving through late to snatch victory by a head.
Meredith admits he wasn’t expecting fireworks when Aquila first arrived at his Pukekohe barn, but her recent form has been a revelation.
“It’s pretty neat to train a horse and put a picket fence up. She might only be a rating 55 and winning amateur races, but it’s still not an easy feat. I’ve got to give it to her, when she came to me, I said she was nothing more than a galloping pacemaker, but she’s really stepped up.”
That turnaround, he believes, comes down to confidence. Working on her own at home, the mare has built a sense of self-belief that’s translating to race day.
“She’s really shaped my belief around how much of a key factor confidence is in a horse,” Meredith said. “She works on her own, so she’s never getting beat at home, and with her winning every week she’s gained a huge amount of self-confidence.”
Her latest effort has also reinforced Meredith’s belief that she’s capable of taking the next step.
“I thought last night might have been a step up for her, but I was really impressed with the run,” he said. “She’s gone 2:42 with the quarter in 28, so I’m hopeful she might be able to handle the next step up and still be competitive in that grade.”
The win was also a special moment for Meredith personally, with Kate Coppins, a former colleague from his time working at Arna Donnelly’s, in the sulky.
“It was pretty cool to have Katie on,” he said. “She’s been driving super lately, and she was stoked with the win.”
As for Aquila’s future?
While the team has already fielded interest from potential buyers, Meredith isn’t rushing any decisions.
“There’s been some interest in her, and after last night they might be a little more convinced,” he said. “With the way she’s racing, I’m not in any rush to put her on a plane, but it wouldn’t be the worst move for her either.”
