The newly minted training combination of Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker couldn’t have asked for a better start to their partnership when promising mare Pure Lorde provided them with a winning start at Awapuni on the weekend.

In a hit and run raid on the premier meeting Parker was on hand to accept congratulations for the victory with Richardson content to watch on from his home base at Matamata.

“I did ask Gavin to head down there with the mare as I thought she would be a good chance and there is no better feeling than training your first winner,” explained Richardson.

“Parksey is a great guy and is going to be a real asset for the stable. To get that first win on the board certainly takes the pressure off and hopefully it’s the sign of good things to come.

“I’ve always thought that he would be the ideal person to bring into a partnership and when the opportunity presented itself I was delighted that we could get things up and running.”

Although confident of a good run from Pure Lorde Richardson did concede the tricky track conditions on the day had caused him some concern before the race.

“She hadn’t run for just on a month and had only had a very soft trial going into the race,” he said.

“I did wonder if that might see her find it too tough in the closing stages but she was very brave and did a great job in a tight finish.

“She has a stack of ability but has taken time to strengthen up. Now that she is starting to get the hang of things she might be suited to something a little more ambitious while the tracks stay reasonably good.”

With that in mind Richardson indicated a tilt at the Listed Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup later this month was one option being considered for the mare provided she gained enough rating points from her latest victory.