INCREASING HER ACCLAIM

Making it two from four, Reputation (4 m Iffraaj – Tenacity, by Zabeel) won the $55,000 Eagle Technology Rating 65 1600 metres on Saturday at Pukekohe.

Having made a great fist of her debut when fighting hard for close second (short head), winning comfortably by a neat length over 1400 metres in August at Taupo, and then finding conditions too heavy in the Rating 65 1400 metres on 30 September at Hastings, Reputation again proved her ability with another encouraging victory.

Prior to the race, co-trainer Pam Gerard reported that Reputation had progressed pleasingly since last racing.

“She’s really well, happy with her, actually put on a bit of weight and starting to strengthen up,” she said.

“We do have a pretty wide draw (13), but it’s probably not too bad on this course as you’ve got the whole back straight to be able to get to where you want to be.

“She’ll slowly work her way forward and we’ll be trying to ride her positively. She’s a big long striding mare and just likes to roll along at a high cruising speed.

“We’re happy with the horse, she looks fantastic, and I think she’ll go a big one.”

In a nutshell, the plans worked to a tee and in the hands of visiting Melbourne jockey Celine Gaudry (a1), with over 120 wins to her credit, Reputation delivered on expectations.

In the colours of breeder/owner Christopher Grace QSM, Reputation began well from the outside gate, sliding across into second at the 1200m, was still nicely held when levelling at the 600m, and after changing stride to lengthen inside the 200m then pinched a winning advantage.

It was good effort by horse and rider, indicative of each having bright futures.

“She’s a pretty good jockey Celine Gaudry, does a fair bit of riding for Mike (Moroney) in Melbourne, and when she came over to ride Luberon (Embellish) in the Soliloquy we thought it was a good opportunity to make use of her,” Gerard said.

On footing upgraded to Good4 after race four, and still racing well by the last (race 9), Reputation ran the mile in 1:36.4, last 600m in 34.6, and held steady in betting to return generous odds - $17.10 & $4.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

Reputation is raced by Grace in partnership with I J & J F Cameron, D W Dalziell, A E Falloon, Mrs S Grace, J R & L D Griffith, G Jones, J E & S J McKenzie, and B C & T D White.

“Each time, I’ve always spaced her races because she doesn’t carry a lot of extra (condition), but since that last run at Hastings she’s actually put on weight and got better,” Gerard said.

“We’ll take it race by race, but we’ve got to give her an ease up at some stage. We haven’t put a lot of pressure on her, so we’ll let her tell us.

“We’ll have a look through and see what else there is while she’s well and racing accordingly. She’ll let us know if she’s had enough for this prep, I think.

“We might find something suitable down at Trentham, then maybe go home to Christopher’s farm from there for a couple of weeks. We’ll just wait and see.”

Reputation is a half-sister to three time winner Motivation (Mastercraftsman), out of impressive five time winner and stakes placed Titanium (Kingdom Bay), who left four individual winners of 14 races including Wellington Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m) winner Graphic (Volksraad).

Reputation was strapped by Rathore Singh.