Telfers win four races across South Island

By Mike Love 

Last season's premiership winning trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer had a very successful "Sunday session", winning four races across the South Island from only five runners.

They had two winners each at Cromwell and Ashburton. 

Crimson Tide broke his maiden status at Ashburton, driven by Tim Williams, in the Wide Span Sheds Pace over 2400m. The three-year-old Downbytheseaside gelding was fresh up, and had to overcome the often tricky draw of one. 

Co-trainer Amanda Telfer was very pleased with his effort. 

“He was quite good. He still has plenty of improvement. He’ll just keep racing and adding to his ringcraft. But he raced really well,” said Telfer. 

Williams made it a driving double when Ebony Arden resumed from a break to make it win four from just six starts when she won the Chickens Lawn and Garden Mobile Pace over 1700m.

The four-year-old Bettors Delight mare - out of the very good mare Venus Serena - clocked a 1:54 mile rate, which could be a sign of a good campaign ahead. 

“She’s a nice mare. She’s tough. She also has a lot more to learn. There’s no real target for her yet. We don’t want to throw her in the deep end.” 

Down south at Cromwell, the Telfer team made amends for a quiet day at Friday's meeting with two other wins.  

“Nothing went to plan on the first day, but it was nice to run a couple of seconds. Nikita (Burton) drove them very positively yesterday.” 

In Race 1, the Lenny Holding Memorial Supported By Brewbar Mobile Pace, Stumpy Blackler broke through for his maiden at start seven, having finished second on four previous occasions. 

“He’s been running nice races without winning. He won’t have too many more starts before he’s tipped out to the paddock."

Completing the early Cromwell double was Premier Arden in the Sangster Electrical Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace, again driven by stable junior driver Nikita Burton. 

“Drawn one on the first day didn’t help her, so drawing two yesterday was better with horses around her, helping her to get away.

“She still needs some ringcraft. There’s a Southern Oaks heat at Oamaru (March 4) which she may head to, but again we will see how she comes through the trip.”