Stakes success perfect birthday present
14 Mar 2015Iffwedance delivered the perfect 70th birthday present to part-owner Rex Fell at Trentham this afternoon with a gallant victory in the Listed New Zealand St Leger.
A mountain of a horse, the son of Iffraaj made his day when the four-year-old earned the thick end of the stake in the Hiremaster-sponsored event.
“He’s a beautiful horse to train and a real privilege to have him,” said trainer Trina Riddell, whose husband Jonathan rode the gelding.
“He’s a really big horse at 17.1 hands and 620 kilos is his racing weight. Time isn’t going to hurt him.”
Riddell is confident Iffwedance can develop into a genuine contender for next season’s feature cups and Saturday’s success was a major stepping stone toward the open grade.
“He over- raced a bit early, but Jonathan rode him perfectly and he saw the distance out well. It was a big effort with the 59.5kg,” Riddell said.
The four-year-old settled one off the fence near the pace and rounded off strongly in the run home.
“It’s quite satisfying for all concerned,” Jonathan Riddell said. “He’s a lovely horse and he’s been consistent his whole life, there will be some nice races for him next season.”
Iffwedance is out of the Soviet Star mare Happy Dance, whose only other foal to race Firstwedance has won four races.