Westbury Stud graduate Star Ballot showcased his staying power with a strong performance on his home track at Riccarton.
The Gerry Harvey-bred son of Tarzino had been in sound lead-up form for trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman and it was Saturday’s step up to 2600 metres that brought out the very best in the five-year-old.
Star Ballot has now won five races and this was his first on rain-affected ground.
“I don’t have many favourite horses, but Star Ballot is probably one of my favourites,” Michael Pitman said.
“If it had been a really firm track, I think this horse would have won by five lengths.”
He settled at the tail of the field before picking up ground 700 metres from home and was widest at the top of the straight.
Star Ballot produced a sustained finish to wear his Rating 75 opposition down in the hands of Lisa Allpress to record a milestone century of riding victories for the Pitmans.
“We’ve had a bit of a sabbatical recently, so it’s taken a while to bring up the 100th winner for the stable, but it’s always nice to get on their horses. You know they’re going to give you a good show,” Allpress said.
“Our association goes back to when I was an apprentice and I used to come and ride for him at midweek meetings. It’s all about the grounding that you get as a young apprentice.
“You’ve got to take the knocks as well as the good times, and I think he’s taught me a few things along the way, as well as Mr (Kevin) Gray.”
Allpress said Star Ballot could be a future contender for higher honours.
“He’s a really nice stayer and could be one to earmark for the New Zealand Cup (G3, 3200m).”
Star Ballot was offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale at Karaka by Westbury and purchased by Michael Pitman for $45,000.
She is a daughter of the More Than Ready mare Cast Your Vote, who has a perfect record at stud with all four of her foals to race successful.
The dam is out of the multiple Group-placed Danehill mare Confer and has a yearling colt by Tarzino and produced another son of the Tavistock stallion last year and is now in foal to Redwood.