Westwood Beach trainer Graeme Anderson has always had an opinion of Tres Chic and he’s just had to wait to prove his point.
The Mach Three mare qualified as a three year old but didn’t race at that age because she kicked a fence and injured the lower part of a leg. As a four year old she raced just twice.
“The time out hasn’t done her any harm,” said Anderson who trains the mare with Mike Love.
Neither Anderson or Love were on-course today with Anderson recuperating from a recent operation.
“I had a few bone chips removed from the knee about six weeks ago. It was a bit of a struggle at the start but I’m going right. It’s a long way to come south and Mikes having a few days off.”
Anderson hasn’t worked a horses since his operation and was unable to celebrate because of his medications.
“I’ll have to go and have a cup of tea. Mikes been driving her. We’ve changed a few things on her. She’s been going really well but she’s had a few breaks in her races so we had to get to the bottom of that.”
Today’s win was the five year olds third, and second on this track. She’s only had eleven career starts and was driven today by junior driver Ellie Barron.
“I talked to Ellie this morning and said to her that Tres Chic is a big strong mare. And when they eased the pace she got a lovely trail behind Pay Me Speedy. It was a very good drive and I was very happy with that. It was a very good field today and the horse had to be on her game.”
Tres Chic was bred by Lochiel Accountant Stu Gillian who races her in partnership with Anderson.
“I played cricket against him but he’s a lot older than me. You can put that in the story (laughter). He used to referee me in rugby. We had a horse called Match Point who did a good job. He’s also had a share in Titan Banner, Eamon Maguire and Spirit Of St Louis.”
Anderson says Spirit Of St Louis is now in the Joshua Dickie stable in Auckland and is due to go to the workouts.
“There’s nothing down here for him. We’re targeting the New Zealand Messenger and the Noel Taylor Mile.”
by Bruce Stewart