Member Login
When it comes to popular local wins, it may seem strange that a Matamata-trained horse could receive such a rousing reception from many of the locals when winning at Rotorua's Arawa Park.

But that is exactly what happened on Saturday when Shahbab, trained at Matamata by Mike Moroney and Andrew Clarken, successfully managed the step up from Rating 80 to restricted open class when taking the Rotorua Hyundai Gold Cup in comfortable fashion.

The reason for Shahbab being such a crowd favourite is that she is raced by the Racing Rotorua Syndicate, which has a lease arrangement with the mare's Matamata breeders, Colin and Irene Thompson, who also share in racing the daughter of Bertolini.

The Racing Rotorua Syndicate includes the club's immediate past-president John Lloyd, current president Tony Spain, vice-president Owen Nickel and treasurer John Macmillan. And it was no surprise to see many of the group swamp the winner's enclosure when rider Craig Grylls returned to scale on Shahbab.

Winning a race on its home track is not a first for the Racing Rotorua Syndicate and Shahbab is making a habit of causing Rotorua celebrations. In fact all her four wins (from 14 starts) have come at Arawa Park.

"For some reason she loves this track," said Clarken after the race.

"It's great for the syndicate and it was a big step up for her today."

Shahbab had hinted she was on track for a big run last Saturday when finishing a creditable seventh fresh-up at Te Rapa on April 30 when ridden by the stable apprentice Harry Kasim, who was replaced last Saturday by stable jockey Craig Grylls.

Grylls has formed a very successful association with Shahbab, having been aboard her in each of her last two wins, plus several placings (Kasim rode her in her first two wins). One of those wins was last October and that was special for Grylls as it was his first success for the Clarken-Moroney partnership which was formed last year.Shahbab is a half-sister to Shariat's On Fire, a good winner from the Moroney stable, and though she still has a fair way to go to match her half-brother's deeds she is providing a lot of enjoyment for her owners.

In the Rotorua Hyundai Gold Cup she kicked on strongly to win by two lengths from Abbey Tralae. One Nite Stand was an improver's third, two lengths further afield, and the topweight San Bernardino finished fourth.


[17 May 11]

SUNDAY 14 APR. AT TE RAPA (New Zealand)

SUNDAY 14 APR. AT TE RAPA
[14 Apr 24] Three runners on Soft7 footing  more...

WAR MACHINE SHOWS HIS CLASS (Australia)

WAR MACHINE SHOWS HIS CLASS
[14 Apr 24] War Machine gave the stable a boost when running away with the listed $200,000 Bendigo Guineas on Saturday.  more...

WAR MACHINE READY FOR BATTLE (Australia)

WAR MACHINE READY FOR BATTLE
[13 Apr 24] War Machine and Ceasar are our runners at Bendigo today with the promising War Machine in the feature Bendigo Guineas.  more...
HAIL CEASAR (Aus) [17 Jan 24]
FANCY LIKE, OH (NZ) [15 Oct 23]
BUFFY'S BACK! (Aus) [23 Sep 23]
FALCON SOARS (Aus) [08 Jun 23]
READY TO ROCH (Aus) [25 Feb 23]
HAIL CEASAR! (Aus) [24 Dec 22]
SUNDAY DUTY (Aus) [18 Dec 22]
SASSY ALRIGHT (NZ) [23 Oct 21]
AKTAU RETURNS (Aus) [31 Jul 21]
CORKS A POPPIN (NZ) [26 Jun 21]
COBRA STRIKES (Aus) [25 Oct 20]
SNIPER AT MOE (Aus) [16 Oct 20]
STAFF WANTED (NZ) [29 Oct 18]
RUBY A GEM (NZ) [25 Apr 18]
AVEC MOI WINS (NZ) [07 Mar 18]
BORN TO WIN (Aus) [28 Aug 17]
Girl Power! (NZ) [15 Sep 16]
100 Looms! (Aus) [21 Jul 16]
She's A Rose (Aus) [09 Jul 16]
Ararat Trio (Aus) [17 May 16]
Two Guineas! (Aus) [04 Mar 16]
Tulsa Resumes (Aus) [05 Feb 16]
Extra Smart! (Aus) [02 Sep 15]
Sandown Trio. (Aus) [01 Sep 15]
Rose Blooms! (Aus) [31 Aug 15]
Saturday Trio (Aus) [17 Jul 15]
Quiet Weekend (Aus) [25 Jun 15]
Sandown Trio (Aus) [03 Mar 15]
Garud At Best (Aus) [29 Dec 14]
Christmas Joy (Aus) [28 Dec 14]
Thursday Trio (Aus) [25 Nov 14]
RIP Araldo (Aus) [05 Nov 14]
Miz Flies! (Aus) [04 Aug 14]
Tasmanian Duo (Aus) [25 Feb 14]
Midweek Duo (Aus) [21 Jan 14]
Weekend Trio (Aus) [06 Dec 13]
Sale duo (Aus) [25 Sep 13]
On A Roll! (NZ) [17 Aug 13]
Te Rapa Duo (NZ) [15 Aug 13]
Confidence! (Aus) [26 Jul 13]
Lady Fires (Aus) [29 Mar 13]
Ararat Double (Aus) [12 Feb 13]
A Major win (Aus) [10 Nov 12]
Sale Saturday (Aus) [06 Sep 12]
A Magic start (Aus) [09 Apr 12]
Flashy flies! (Aus) [24 Mar 12]
Two for two! (Aus) [04 Nov 11]
What a week! (Aus) [03 Oct 11]
Born To Win! (Aus) [01 Oct 11]
Dashing Duke (Aus) [06 Jul 11]
She Rocks! (Aus) [18 Jun 11]
Busy weekend! (Aus) [03 Jun 11]
The Team (Aus) [09 Apr 11]
A Sale double (Aus) [28 Feb 11]
He's a Moral! (Aus) [18 Nov 10]
Oaks Day 2010 (Aus) [02 Nov 10]
A big weekend (Aus) [08 Jan 10]
Take That! (Aus) [02 Dec 09]