Cup victory timely for mare

Referred's victory in the $20,000 Waipukurau Cup (2000m) last Sunday was timely as her racing career winds down.

The Waverley-trained five-year-old is in foal to promising sire High Chaparral and under industry rules will have to cease racing by early February.

"She had a 45-day positive [pregnancy] test on Monday," said Referred's trainer Bill Thurlow yesterday.

Referred has been plagued by unsoundness after bursting on to the racing scene early in 2007, not with a win, but as runner-up to Boundless in the Group One New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.

"The poor girl's had the lot," said Thurlow before going on to reel off a string of things that have interrupted the mare's racing career. The setbacks include respiratory and hoof problems, bone chips removed from her fetlocks and a spur on her knee that can't be operated on.

Thurlow admitted it had been a frustrating training the mare knowing she had the ability to win big races.

"Unfortunately, being in foal, we may not see the best of her.

"It's a shame because she is a talented mare."

Referred was having just her third start back following a spell when successful on at Waipukurau on Sunday.

"We've managed to work through all her problems," Thurlow said. "She'll probably race through to the Wellington Cup carnival towards the end of January."

Meantime, plans will see Referred race on the latter days of the Manawatu Racing Club's three day pre-Christmas cup meeting.

NEew Plymouth-trained three-year-old Topario will back up in the $70,000 Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni this Saturday following his impressive victory at Trentham at the weekend.

Trainer Robert Patterson yesterday confirmed the plans for Topario, whose win in the Elements 3YO Handicap on Saturday was his second from eight starts. She has also been placed twice.

Topario will have a change of rider in the Eulogy Stakes with Lisa Allpress taking the reins from the horse's regular rider Robert Hannam, who is riding Butch James in the Waikato Times Gold Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa the same day.

Patterson said Topario had kept improving with every run and had earned a crack at a stakes race.

"Robbie [Hannam] said every time he rides her she's improved.

"She used to do a lot of things wrong and was an easy horse to train early on, but we've ironed out those problems.

"She's got a great attitude now."

Topario was sacked by her original owner after three unplaced starts before being on-sold.

The filly is now raced by a Taranaki syndicate that includes Barry Pepperell, Terry Hinton, Tony Makatu and the Rough Diamond syndicate managed by Don Armstrong, including Chris Henderson and Dean Baldock.

- © Fairfax NZ News