Jochen Rindt too tough in Te Rapa opener

Trainer Terry Wenn had plenty to smile about following the result of the first race at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The Te Aroha based trainer is employed as the Clerk of the Course at Te Rapa on raceday and had the pleasure of leading his own charge back to the winner’s enclosure after rugged stayer Jochen Rindt led all the way to claim the open 2100m contest.

The Ishiguru gelding has a penchant for the sandy Te Rapa surface having now claimed five of his 8 career wins at the venue. A heady ride by apprentice Amber Sims saw her use her 3kg allowance to telling effect as she urged her mount back to the front with 100m to run after he was clearly headed by runner-up Athena Baby early in the run home.

“It was a lovely ride by Amber and just as we had planned,” Wenn said as he waited for the winning pair to make their way back to meet him at the entrance to the Te Rapa birdcage.

“When they take him on in front he loves it and lifts another gear.”

Wenn revealed that the next start for his charge would be in a completely different role at the same venue next week.

“He’s in the hurdles here next week,” he said.

“He only goes left-handed and won’t travel so our options are limited.

“He’s been jumping for about four years so that is the plan.”

Sims was sporting a grin form ear-to-ear when she unsaddled Jochen Rindt after making her first ride on him a winning one.

“I worked him on Thursday for Terry and he was just so bright he nearly dropped me a couple of times,” she said.

“It’s lovely for Terry as he has been a family friend for such a long time, so I’m delighted to make it one ride and one win for him.

“I knew when we were headed he still had a lot in him and the claim would come into effect then.

“He’s very fit and will just stay all day.”