Southland trio ready for $350k Christchurch horse race

Three Southland-trained horses will line up in Saturday's $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge in Christchurch.

Invercargill trainers, from left, Jo Gordon, Tommy Beckett and Barry Howden have runners in the $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge in Christchurch on Saturday. Their horses - The Grey Goose (Gordon), Miss Pearl (Beckett) and Willis (Howden) - are the Southland-trained runners in the rich race. Photo: JAMIE SEARLE

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

The three Southland-trained horses in Saturday's $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge in Christchurch have all trained well ahead of travelling to the Garden City in the next day or two.

The Grey Goose, Miss Pearl and Willis gained entry into the race when they were the first three home, in that order, in the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final at Wingatui on March 2. 

Willis has not raced since the Wingatui race, while The Grey Goose and Miss Pearl were rivals in a feature fillies and mares' race, the Francolin Stakes, at Riverton on March 30.

Miss Pearl won and The Grey Goose ran sixth.

The Grey Goose and jockey Rohan Mudhoo after a win at Ascot Park in Invercargill in February. Photo: JAMIE SEARLE

The Grey Goose's trainer, Jo Gordon, thought the heavy track had become quite testing by the time the Francolin Stakes (race seven) was run and it didn't suit her mare.

Good footing helps The Grey Goose to kick into acceleration mode.

The Grey Goose's main goal this season was the Southern Mile Final and she conquered it in fine style. 

"I was happy enough with her at Riverton," Gordon said of The Grey Goose.

Up to now The Grey Goose has only had to travel to and from race meetings in a day. This week's trip to Christchurch will be the first time she has had to stay a couple of nights away from home.

How she travelled to Christchurch, settled into a new stabling environment, ate and drank on the trip were important factors, as was race day track conditions, Gordon said..

Gordon has had big race successes in Christchurch. She and her late father Jack trained Mill Road to win the Grand National Hurdles there in 1997. Jo, on her own account, won two Winter Classics in Christchurch with The Gordonian.

Jockey Sam Wynne prepares to mount Miss Pearl before riding her to victory at Riverton on March 30. Trainer Tommy Beckett is on the right. Photo: JAMIE SEARLE

Miss Pearl's trainer, Tommy Beckett, said his mare was in good shape for Saturday's glamour race.

"She's as good as gold . . . working well and eating well."

Beckett trained Miss Pearl's mother, Miss Three Stars, to win the prestigious Winter Cup in Christrchurch in 2016. The Beckett-trained Esprit D'or finished second in the 2014 New Zealand Cup on the Canterbury track.

The third Southland runner in Saturday's TAB Southern Alps Challenge is Willis, who, according to trainer Barry Howden, is ready to go.

"He's getting better all the time and will probably be even better next season," Howden said of Willis.

Willis with trainer Barry Howden and jockey Kin Kwo following a win at Wingatui in January. Kwo will be aboard Willis in the TAB Southern Alps Challenge in Christchurch on Saturday. Photo: TAYLER STRONG

Howden has raced horses in other rich Christchurch races. He owned and Brian Ridley trained Star Fraction for the 2000 Guineas in 1985. Star Fraction was unplaced.

Howden trained Nonsuch to finish fifth in the Stewards Handicap in 1989. Imps Love, also trained by the horseman, finished well back in the 2000 New Zealand Cup.

Another winner for Howden at the Christchurch track was The Bragger in 1999. He trained The Bragger for Sabin Kirkland and Stephen Blair-Edie.