Local trainer David Greene made the best possible start to SkyCity Waikato Cup Day on his home track at Te Rapa when his debutant Sweet Ice took out the ICIB Brokerweb-Insurance Brokers 2YO (1100m).
Greene, who produced his 100th career winner back in May with Goldiluxe, had the well-named son of Frosted ready to go at his first time on race day after two placed efforts at the Te Awamutu trials and he delivered in fine but wayward style for rider Sam Spratt.
Spratt bounced Sweet Ice out nicely from a midfield barrier and took up a position at the head of affairs throughout.
It was apparent the gelding was travelling nicely rounding the home bend as he shot two lengths clear from the chasing pack headed by Curzon Park and Towering Vision.
Despite being dominant in the closing stages Sweet Ice drifted out sharply at the 100m before balancing up again to win by a neat length from Curzon Park who shaded Towering Vision for the runner-up slot. Shortly after pulling up the protest siren sounded however, despite the outward movement, Sweet Ice held the race much to the delight of his large group of owners.
Greene was sporting a smile a mile wide when questioned about the performance.
“It’s pretty nice as it has been a couple of years since we won on Cup day here,” Greene said.
“It’s good to win on my favourite day of the year.
“We’ve never really asked too much of him although has always appealed as a well above (average) athlete.
“He still has a few things to learn as you could see, but he is a talent.
“It was a field of two-year-olds going past big screens and the like, while it can get a bit lonely out there in front on your own, so he might have been looking for his friends (when running around).”
Whilst the horse had been paid up for the rich Karaka Million series, Greene hadn’t been considering a start in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie next month but admitted he may have to reassess his plans now.
“I didn’t think he was really a Karaka Million type of horse this year,” he said.
“However, the owners won’t let me get away with not having a crack at that race now.”
Spratt was also suitably impressed as she noted there was plenty of petrol left in the tank despite the wayward finish by the horse.
“He has got huge ability and has always shown a lot but he is as green as,” she said.
“He got me his first trial but improved a little bit for his second one and still has lengths left in him.
“I thought I was going to do a U-turn halfway up the straight but he managed to stick on.
“He did that with his ears pricked despite running around everywhere, so when he puts it together and knuckles down he will be pretty good.”
Purchased by Greene for $55,000 out of the Pencarrow Stud draft during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka back in January, Sweet Ice is the son of stakes placed Darci Brahma mare, Deliciano.
His granddam is Group Two winner Santagostino, a half-sister to Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Vapour Trail.