Drop Of Something takes Te Rapa thriller
Consistent galloper Drop of Something (NZ) (Telperion) made full use of a perfectly judged front-running ride from apprentice Sam McNab to triumph in a thrilling four-way finish to the Savabeel 2100 (2100m) at Te Rapa.
The nuggety chestnut gelding was having his first run since being narrowly denied victory in the Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at the venue late last month and looked a good chance with McNab’s 4kg apprentice claim reducing his carded weight down to a competitive 56kgs.
With no clear pacemaker in the event, McNab took to bull by the horns and crossed to the lead, leaving the straight on the first round to set up his own terms at the head of affairs.
On and off the accelerator throughout, McNab shot the Wayne Hillis-trained six-year-old clear by two lengths rounding the home bend and had his rivals under pressure at that stage.
Drop of Something clung to a dwindling advantage as Tregor (NZ) (Reliable Man), Pacheco (NZ) (Makfi) and Gigi (NZ) (Ghibellines) all closed rapidly at the 100m and managed to find enough to deny Tregor by a short head, with no more than half a length separating the quartet at the winning post.
Hillis was delighted to hear his stable favourite get the judge’s call and add an eighth victory to his career record.
“It was a great run although I was a bit worried with him being in front as you have to hold them all off, but he did it so well,” Hillis said.
“He has been up a long time with a few little breaks in between although it probably doesn’t look like it.
“He is a lovely, quiet horse and I ride all his trackwork so no-one else gets to ride him at home.
“There is a race at Ellerslie next month which will suit but there hasn’t really been a lot around for him.”
Bred by the late Emma Evans and racing under the Evans Breeding Ltd banner, Drop Of Something is a son of the Don Eduardo mare Nothing Moore (NZ). He has now won eight of his 44 starts, with another 14 placings, including finishing third in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) and has earned over $271,000 in prizemoney.
