CEASAR LEADS THEM HOME AT TE AROHA

Just one to race for Ballymore Stables on Friday at Te Aroha, which resulted in victory by Ceasar (3 g Proisir – Elehara, by Pentire) in the $12,000 Maiden 1200 metres.

Twice a trial winner at Cambridge (poly-track), before being taken on in front and lifting with notable effort for second on debut in Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 26 September at Tauranga, Ceasar had pleased co-trainer Pam Gerard since.

“He had improved since his debut second, worked super, good in his action, and Danielle (Johnson) was keen to stick with him,” said Gerard, who also prepares Harlech for the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) on Saturday at Hastings.

“He’s a lovely athletic type of horse that is growing in confidence, eating well, and I was hopeful he would be sharp enough again for 1200 metres.

“I couldn’t have been happier with him going into the race and on his work Tuesday I thought he’d be right in it.”

Handling heavy conditions was paramount to his prospects at Tauranga, and Gerard was correct in her assessment that the ground had improved sufficiently at Te Aroha.

“We had two quite good drying days and I was a bit surprised it was Slow8, but they upgraded the track after race one to Slow7 and the times continued to improve.

“Danielle did a really good job teaching him something and although the margin was a short head, she was confident of having the other horse covered.

“It was good to get a win on the board. We would like to see him up to 1400 metres and settle behind a few.”

In the last race of the day, sponsored by Te Aroha Aztec NZ, Ceasar ran 1200 metres in 1:11.5 and paid $3.40 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

It was a no holds barred ride by Johnson, in the firing line of four contesting pace 600m out. But to her credit, she cuddled him up before being joined at the 150m by Tu Meke Potae (Makfi) and gained his measure in a driving finish.

Gerard also paid homage to Scott Magee for the work he does with Ceasar.

“He wasn’t easy to break-in and between Daniel (Miller) and Chad (Ormsby) they got him through the process.

“He’s had a few behavioural issues and quite difficult, dumped his share of riders, but Scotty (Magee) has stuck with him and done a huge job. He rides all his work, including gallops, and the horse has grown in confidence and does as he should now.”

Selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased for $37,500 at 2020 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud, Ceasar is owned by Craig Lindberg, Andrew South, Sean Brown, Simon O’Conner, Mount RSA Ceasar Syndicate, Judy & John Angell, Pat Hale and Ballymore Stables.

By really good young sire Proisir (Choisir), terrific value ($12,500) at Rich Hill Stud, with first crop Group 1 performers Levante, Riodini, Vancooga, and Feel the Rush, Ceasar is from a sister to Group 1 winner Penny Gem (Pentire).

Also trained at Ballymore, Penny Gem, by high-quality and versatile stallion Pentire, won the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), Counties Cup (Gr. 2, 2100m), and dual Group 1 placed. She was a top-class mare, in turn the grand-dam of impressive winner Night’s Watch (Redwood), dual Group 3 winner and Group 1 runner-up among nine wins in Australia, and from the family of Group 1 winning sprinter/miler and track record holder Alynda.

Ceasar has a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer and dual Champion Two-Year-Old sire Biscay.

It was the store of knowledge by brothers Moroney that secured an economical purchase, now showing good potential early in his career.

Ceasar was strapped by Scott Magee. Image: Kenton Wright (Race Images)