Andrew Carston recorded his 100th training win on Thursday.
Carston is in his sixth season of training and headed to Ashburton confident of success but unaware he was about to reach an important milestone.
“It was a super day out,” Carston said. “I had a big team in and I though some were pretty well placed but you never go to the races too confident.”
“It was good to get the 100th winner out of the way. I didn’t even know, it was Michael Pitman who reminded me. He knows everything about stats.”
Ticket to Ride brought up win 100 when taking out the Richie McCrea Painting and Decorating Open (1400m). A winner of the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes two starts ago, Ticket To Ride jumped well under jockey Kylie Williams and travelled comfortably off the back of pacemaker Xcuses Xcuses.
Williams bided her time before asking the seven-year-old mare to move forward on the straight and Ticket to Ride responded keenly going on to win untroubled by two lengths over Xcuses Xcuses.
“She continues to impress,” Carston said. “I thought it was as softer win as she has got since I have had her.
“She will take improvement from yesterday and she will go towards the Listed Timaru Cup (1600m, December 28th).”
It was the tenth career win for daughter of Shocking who is raced by Peter Setchell and Margaret Christian.
Montreux Miss completed the second leg of Carston’s treble when breaking her maiden in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m). The four-year-old mare was backing up off a third placing at Riccarton a fortnight ago and led from start to finish under in form jockey Kozzi Asano.
“She has a pretty patient owner,” Carston said. “She has placed a few times and she deserved the win.
“In saying that I thought it was a good effort and I wouldn’t be surprised if she went on with it. Especially around Christmas and New Year when we have small tracks and she is a mare in form. She could win again."
Montreux Miss is raced by Rangiora-based Paul Yesburg under his Yesburg Bloodstock banner.
Completing the trio of wins was Hee’s Our Secret who made the most of a drop down in grade to win the Vale Myra Harnett R65 (1400m).
The son of Sakhee’s Secret jumped cleanly and travelled at the front of the field with stablemate Zah Wanted. Under the urgings of Asano Hee’s Our Secret hit the front with 800m to go scoring a narrow victory over the fast finishing I Am A Rock. Zah Wanted held on for third.
“I never thought I would get him back to rating 65 because he is a pretty handy galloper,” Cartson said of the Andy Denham raced gelding. “I wasn’t surprised at all with the win. I think he will go on with it but where I’m not sure.
“It will depend on track conditions and weather forecasts.”
Carston currently sits 10th on the New Zealand premiership table with 15 wins to his credit for the season. His season best is 22 during the 2016/2017 season.
“I’ve never had this may winners this side of Christmas ever,” he said. “The team is going well and let’s hope it continues.”