Group race success for Riverton partnership
The thoroughbred racing season in Southland finishes in a fortnight and the Riverton trainers got a big thrill producing Riviera Rebel to win the Group III $120k Canterbury Gold Cup in Christchurch.
Jamie Searle is a long-time Southland racing writer. For more of his work head to the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.
Graham Eade and granddaughter Brooke Kincaid have won a coveted Group race in their first season of training in partnership.
The thoroughbred racing season in Southland finishes in a fortnight and the Riverton trainers got a big thrill producing Riviera Rebel to win the Group III $120,000 Canterbury Gold Cup in Christchurch yesterday.
It was Eade's first Group race win in his 20 years of training. He and Kincaid formed the partnership in August.
Riviera Rebel, by sire Pure Champion, is the latest winner Eade and wife Pat have owned with the gelding's breeder, Phil Jeffreys, of Palmerston North. Others include Commanche Gold (12 wins, Amberley Cup), Riviera Rock (seven wins, Southland Crystals twice) and La Nouvelle Vague (five wins, Invercargill and Dunedin Cups).
Eade said he and Kincaid decided about 7am today to stay in Christchurch and start Riviera Rebel in the $80,000 Easter Cup at Riccarton next Saturday.
Stablemate Intercept who was a close second in a rating 65 1400m yesterday, will back up in a rating 65 1200m.
Afterwards, Riviera Rebel will be turned out for two months but that could be reduced because he can become highly strung when spelling.