Robbie Patterson has unearthed another potential topliner from his New Plymouth stable as progressive gelding Ma Te Wa (NZ) (Time Test) kept his winning Wanganui record intact with victory in the Hirepool 3YO (1340).
The three-year-old son of Time Test opened his career with a fourth on his home track back in February. Patterson gave him a few weeks off to recover from that effort before producing him to score by more than four lengths in a maiden contest at Wanganui in late May.
Ma Te Wa returned to the scene of that triumph on Saturday, with punters jumping in boots and all to send him out a dominant $1.60 Fixed Odds favourite against his age-group rivals.
Apprentice Sima Mxothwa had his mount away nicely and sitting pretty outside pacemaker Cypress (NZ) (Telperion) throughout before applying plenty of pressure as he shot Ma Te Wa to the front rounding the home bend.
Cypress and Palmarow (NZ) (Derryn) chased gamely but were left floundering in the favourite’s wake as he cruised home by four lengths once again to make it back-to-back Wanganui wins.
Patterson, who returned on Thursday from a winter break in Brisbane, admits he is in a quandary about just what to do next with his charge.
“The good thing about this guy is that he jumps out of the gates so well and just puts himself right in the contest from the off,” Patterson said.
“He can quicken when you ask him, and even though he is handling the wet stuff now, I think when he gets over a mile on a good track he will be even better. He has really just needed time and is getting better with more racing experience.
“I just don’t know what to do with him now, as it is very hard to put them away when they are winning like he is and without a hint of mud on his silks.
“We do have the big Opunake meeting coming up at home, where there is a special maiden he could go in with Sima getting his 4kg claim which would suit him perfectly.
“Sima rode him well and he is a lovely lad. All I said was to get outside the leader and don’t panic, which he did perfectly.”
Bred by Jack O’Brien, Ma Te Wa is the first foal out of Per Incanto mare Fascino Lass (NZ), a half-sister to Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) winner Girl Of My Dreams (NZ) and from a family that includes well-performed stakes winner and winter galloper Joal (NZ).