Pivotal Ten romps home in $80k Gore Guineas

"You can't beat riding a winner and the fact it was for myself [as a trainer also] makes this a little bit special."

Owner Colin Wightman and trainer-jockey Sam Wynne after their win with Pivotal Ten in the $80,000 Gore Guineas on Sunday. Photo: JAMIE SEARLE

• Jamie Searle is a long-time racing writer. For more of his work check out the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.

North Canterbury horses, owners and trainers have won the big races at Gore this season.

Ohoka trainer-jockey Sam Wynne had an easy win with Pivotal Ten in the $80,000 Gore Guineas on Sunday. Finishing second was Show Pony who is trained at Rangiora by John Blackadder.

Both horses are owned in Sefton. Colin Wightman is the sole owner of Pivotal Ten, while Show Pony is raced in partnership by Toby Skevington, owner of the Anglers Arms Tavern.

Winning trainer-jockey Sam Wynne aboard Pivotal Ten after the Gore Guineas victory. Photo: JAMIE SEARLE

The $50,000 Gore Cup was also competed for on Sunday with Balcairn stayer In Vegas winning for trainer and part-owner Centaine Spittles.

Also winning on the day was the horse named Sefton, trained at Timaru by part-owner Vicky Ramhit.

Sam Wynne is staying in Invercargill with Pivotal Ten until the filly competes in the $120,000 Southland Guineas at Ascot Park on February 15.

Pivotal Ten's stablemate, Kellanzor, won a maiden race at Gore and is also remaining south. Wynne said Kellanzor might line up in the Southland Guineas. The other option is to start her in the $50,000 rating 65 1400m race on the day.

Pivotal Ten, who joined Wynne's team in August, has raced six times. Her four wins have come in the last four starts.

"It's hard to get a line on her at home . . . she's so placid," Wynne said of Pivotal Ten.

"She preserves herself for race day."

Adiktiv Passion (Corey Campbell) wins easily on the Gore Racing Club's programme on Sunday. It was an impressive run by the Leda Beck-trained mare after being last away, getting held up between the 500m and 300m and producing a powerful sprint in the home straight. Photo: JAMIE SEARLE

Pivotal Ten was wide with the leaders early in the Gore Guineas, took charge at the 800m and raced away for a six-length win.

"You can't beat riding a winner and the fact it was for myself [as a trainer also] makes this a little bit special," Wynne said of the Gore win.

"It was her toughest task and she did way better than I expected."

Wynne will head back to Canterbury for Wednesday's Riccarton meeting, at which she has four rides. Before the meeting starts two of her 2-year-olds will compete in an 800m trial on the track.