Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers and Canterbury apprentice jockey Floor Moerman proved to be a potent combination at Omoto on Sunday, bagging a treble at the Greymouth meeting, including the Recreation Hotel Greymouth Cup (2000m) with Sunset Boulevard.
The Peter Vela-bred and raced gelding was heavily favoured to take out the meeting’s feature race, having been freshened since his two victories over New Zealand Cup Week in November.
Moerman was positive from the jump aboard the son of Eminent, settling him outside early pacemaker Taimate Diva before taking a trail when Victortheinflictor came around to challenge for the lead.
Heading into the back straight, Moerman decided to take the bull by the horns and sent her charge forward to assume control of the race and they quickly opened up several margins on their rivals.
Stablemate, and last year’s race winner, Kick On took chase, eventually drawing alongside Sunset Boulevard with 200m to go. The pair put on a great spectacle for the bustling holiday crowd down the home straight, but it was Sunset Boulevard who got his head in front to reward favourite punters.
“They both kicked clear and I was pretty confident at the 600m when they had the rest of them off the bit,” stable representative Luke Myers said.
“Kick On went a really good race at Wellington last start and we thought he could almost pop Sunset Boulevard today, and he almost did, but Sunset’s class just got him through today.”
Two races prior, Myers and Moerman kicked off their treble when Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Bozo took out the Westland RC Miss Scenicland Stakes (1500m).
The 93-rated mare got in beautifully under the race’s weight-for-age conditions, carrying just 53kg, 3kg lighter than her closest rival.
She was backed into $1.60 favouritism and won accordingly, beating Speed Dial by 1-3/4 lengths, with a further three-lengths back to Sprocket Rocket in third.
“She did it nicely,” Luke Myers said. “She came through her run in the New Zealand Cup probably the best any horse has come through any run.
“She was a chance of getting outsprinted, so Floor rode her beautifully and let the horse roll.”
Myers said Bozo will likely back-up at Kumara on Saturday in the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m).
Moerman split those two victories with a win aboard the Myers-trained Sheaf in the Jack Curragh Memorial (2000m), and Myers said she was a great asset at the West Coast meeting.
“It was good having Floor on with her claim,” Myers said. “She has ridden these last three perfectly and put them in the race at the right time.”
The stable went a step further, winning a quaddie at the meeting, with fellow apprentice jockey Amber Riddell riding stable runner Possess to victory in the Vernon & Vazey 0800 Truck Parts (1500m).