Pint size sprinter Red Striker made it a memorable day for Jim Collett and his daughter Samantha as they combined to take out the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie courtesy of a reversal of placings in the enquiry room.
Speedy mare Onlyarose, sporting the familiar colours of co-owner and major sponsor on the day Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick Hogan, had controlled the pace during the 1200 metre contest to land a narrow win at the expense of Red Striker before the protest siren sounded to signal the result was far from settled.
“I guess I rode in enough races to know that once I saw the footage the chances of a change of placings were pretty high,’’ noted Collett.
“Our mare had her chances impeded and with a narrow margin and the rate at which we were finishing I thought we were a big chance to get the win.”Collett was delighted with the ride of his daughter after setting a pre-race plan with her.
“You let them make their own decisions when they are out there but when we drew such a good barrier I knew if Sam could ride a race we were a big show,” he said.“The mare is only 15 hands high and so she can’t get knocked around too much during the running. Sam had her in a lovely spot on the fence and when she got a little clear air she showed just what a powerful finish she has.”
Red Striker will now head to the spelling paddock for a week to ten days before Collett prepares her for a shot at the Gr. 3 Darley Plate on BMW Derby Day on March 5.
