Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan provided the highlight of the final day of the Riccarton Grand National meeting, as he produced a winning double in the feature jumps events with stablemates West Coast and Berry The Cash.
The jumps racing scene in New Zealand has been bolstered in the past few seasons by young aspiring jumps jockeys, among them 25-year-old Portia Matthews, who continued her successful run in the saddle at Trentham on Saturday.
In a thrilling finish to the Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdle (2800m) rugged winter performer Suliman used his pace on the flat to out-finish a game Berry The Cash to snatch major honours.
Jumps jockey Portia Matthews enjoyed a home cooked meal and a few celebratory drinks with family on Saturday night after taking out the first race on the card at Te Rapa aboard versatile performer Tweedledee.
