Well regarded galloper Kamikaze Rebel is a maiden no longer after putting win number one on the board in comprehensive fashion at Tauranga on the weekend.
The stylish bay gelding has always looked a galloper of some promise but had the misfortune to find one or two better in his previous eight starts before Saturday's effort. Despite some questioning his effectiveness on the Heavy 11 surface on offer on the day, the Alamosa five-year-old displayed a touch of class to travel sweetly throughout the contest before sprinting hard to dash past pacemaker Imblaze in the final 100 metres.
Making the effort even more noteworthy was the fact it was his first run since finishing fourth at Ellerslie on New Year's Day and he went into the 1200 metre event without a trial under his belt. The victory also provided a positive note in a tumultuous time for the Lammas family with rider Cameron sporting a black armband as a mark of respect for the passing of his wife Tracey's father Evan earlier in the week.
"It was a good win and I think the old boy was helping us out a bit," said Lammas as he made his way to weigh in after the race.
"I thought he might have needed the run as he felt a little fat after his last gallop but he's tough and tries his hardest and today he's got up.
"He was fresh up with no trial so he's a tough little horse."
Bred by Nearco Stud Kamikaze Rebel is the son of well performed racemare Something Majic and was a $16,000 purchase from the 2012 NZB National Weanling and Broodmare Sale out of Curraghmore's draft. – NZ Racing Desk
The stylish bay gelding has always looked a galloper of some promise but had the misfortune to find one or two better in his previous eight starts before Saturday's effort. Despite some questioning his effectiveness on the Heavy 11 surface on offer on the day, the Alamosa five-year-old displayed a touch of class to travel sweetly throughout the contest before sprinting hard to dash past pacemaker Imblaze in the final 100 metres.
Making the effort even more noteworthy was the fact it was his first run since finishing fourth at Ellerslie on New Year's Day and he went into the 1200 metre event without a trial under his belt. The victory also provided a positive note in a tumultuous time for the Lammas family with rider Cameron sporting a black armband as a mark of respect for the passing of his wife Tracey's father Evan earlier in the week.
"It was a good win and I think the old boy was helping us out a bit," said Lammas as he made his way to weigh in after the race.
"I thought he might have needed the run as he felt a little fat after his last gallop but he's tough and tries his hardest and today he's got up.
"He was fresh up with no trial so he's a tough little horse."
Bred by Nearco Stud Kamikaze Rebel is the son of well performed racemare Something Majic and was a $16,000 purchase from the 2012 NZB National Weanling and Broodmare Sale out of Curraghmore's draft. – NZ Racing Desk