600 wins for Robbie Holmes

By Mike Love 

Leithfield Beach trainer Robbie Holmes reached a personal milestone on Sunday by training his 600th winner when Cappaha won the Thanking All Our Sponsors For The 25/26 Season Trot at Rangiora. 

“We finally got over the line,” said Holmes.

Holmes, who also drove the six-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding, made their customary safe beginning to land three back the fence from their wide draw. Holmes was able to work off the fence and into the one-one position at the 600 metre mark. 

From there, Holmes poked through between runners to nab Barrytown right on the line, winning by a head at odds of 23/1.

“The race panned out well for him. He was travelling well, and it worked out well in the straight. We got the gap when we needed it and he flew through. 

“He’s actually developed a bit of a sprint lately, and he found the line nice.” 

That was Cappaha’s fourth career win, and first on the track, and is raced by the Fords.

“I’ve had a good association with his owners - in both codes too with Jack Attack - so it’s good to get another win with them.” 

Holmes has now trained 600 winners with over $5.7 million in stake earnings, spanning a 29-year career. Holmes has also trained five winners in the thoroughbred code.

“You just keep battling away and the wins come around eventually!” 

Holmes has won five Group 1 races, four of those with star mare Kiwi Ingenuity in 2008 and 2009, while Romper Stomper won the trotting Free For All in 2007 at Addington on Show day. 

“Kiwi Ingenuity was just a machine. One out of the box. When she won the Pelorus it was really her turning point. Running fourth in the Miracle Mile with her was a big highlight, and she never got any luck in the two New Zealand Cups - skittled in one of them, and then her career ending injury in the other. Winning the New Zealand Oaks was a big thrill with her too.

“Romper Stomper was also a big thrill, and Smiling Star won 10 for us.”

Kiwi Ingenuity won 11 races and over $500,000 in stakes.

“She used to get a bit keen in her races, and so when she led she was hard to get past. And that trait seems to be with all of that family.” 

Kiwi Ingenuity has left seven foals, with the best performed horse being Team Kiwi, who won six races here before heading to North America where she has recorded a 1:51 mile. 

Holmes trains a team of 30, including thoroughbreds, combining track and beach training, with around five staff.

“We started using Woodend Beach which is great. We have a jog track and a main track, plus the grass to do the gallopers on.

“We’ve got a lot of younger stock coming through.Particularly Hamish Scott, he’s been very loyal over the years. So we are just getting a few qualified and we should have a good race team coming through.

“I’d be nothing without my staff. All the time they put in goes a long way to our success. So I can’t thank them enough.”

Other highlights on Sunday's programme were the Anne Thompson Memorial maiden finals. The trotters final was won by the Colin and Julie DeFilippi trained Katelin, driven by Samantha Ottley. 

The pacers final was won by the promising Cherish Me, daughter of champion mare Adore Me, making it two wins from three starts for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and driver Carter Dalgety.