Sense Of Timing impresses in Te Rapa finale

Up-and-comer Sense Of Timing (NZ) (Time Test) made a big statement in the final race on the card at Te Rapa on Saturday, leaving her rivals three and a half lengths behind in the Champion Freight (1500m).

The four-year-old daughter of Time Test had been runner-up in two of her previous three starts, most recently with a very good effort in testing conditions in a 1400m Rating 65 at Rotorua on May 10. Saturday’s race was her first look at Te Rapa, and she took to the Hamilton course like a duck to water

Although notching just her second win, Sense Of Timing has compiled a creditable formline. The Te Akau Racing runner proved competitive from the outset to win her third start and went on to place in last season’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m), NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m), and New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).

Ridden by Te Akau stable apprentice Hayley Hassman, Sense Of Timing settled beyond midfield, was in the three-wide line and eight lengths astern at the 600m, angled clear on straightening and burst clear at the 200m to win with ease.

“She travelled like the winner a long way out and I thought ‘woo girl’, but I let her go around the corner and she put them to bed,” said, Hassman, whose 4kg claim reduced Sense Of Timing’s weight to 55.5kg. “It was amazing.

“She was really game on heavy ground at Rotorua last start, which was probably a bit worse than she likes, but the team have kept her so fit and well that she was ready for today.”

Sense Of Timing ran 1500m on Saturday in 1:31.7, last 600m in 35.9, and drifted markedly in betting to pay $7.50 & $2.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“The owners have been very patient and she’s won impressively today,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson.

“The way she won should give her plenty of confidence going forward, especially beating a good field like that, and Hayley is riding very well and obviously her four-kilo claim is so valuable at this time of year.

“Since winning her maiden she’s been multiple stakes-placed, and if we can get her rating up higher, the aim would be to try and get a black-type win.”

The win was a timely present for part-owner Denise Alexander, who was on course at New Plymouth, who celebrated her birthday a day earlier.

Alexander was also there for her first win, and revealed at the time how she came to buy a share: “I get the sales catalogues and was watching TV and when she walked into the sales ring I thought I really like her. My partner, John, saw Laelia on the page and said she was a really good filly for Bart Cummings.”

Owned by Te Akau Perfect Timing Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Sense Of Timing was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $100,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud.

“What a truly great day’s racing and what a way to finish, with Sense Of Timing winning like a really good mare in the making,” Ellis said.

“Dunstan Day has been run so well by the owner, Dave Smith. He’s a great friend and since 1984 the only feed Te Akau has used is Dunstan.

“Dave and his team put so much back into racing. He was President of the Waikato Racing Club for more than a decade and also won the NZ Contribution to Racing Award.”