Nymphadora Tonks and her winning connections. Photo: Riccarton Park Facebook Page
Andrew Carston headed to Riccarton on Friday with a strong team and was optimistic of a hometrack win.
He wasn't disappointed, posting a winning double and several placings over the nine race card.
Easy on the Eye bounced back into form with a win in the Skelton Brothers Maiden (1600m) for breeder/owner Andy Denham.
The four-year-old daughter of Super Easy raced midfield with cover under a patient ride from Kozzi Asano before being asked for an effort as they swept wide at the turn. Once she skipped clear from her rivals, Easy on the Eye continued to let down and won by a comfortable 2 ½ length margin.
“It was a really good day, most of the team went pretty good and I was happy,” Carston said.
“Easy on the Eye hasn’t had a lot of luck this preparation, I have always thought she was going to take a bit of time and she continues to improve.
“I thought her last run was actually better than it looked, it was a big field at Riccarton and she got back last but hit the line strong.
“I wouldn’t say I was confident of her chances heading into Friday but I was expecting a good run, but not to win as well as that.”
Carston will now target the Pearl Series race Timaru on December 8.
“It won’t be her only win,” he said “She is quite a nice mare.”
In the following race on the card the Carston team ran 1-2 in the finish. It was Barrett who looked the winner coming down the straight before stablemate Nymphadora Tonks wore him down with 200m to go to claim the 1600m Maiden contest by a long head.
Cartson was expecting a strong performance from four-year-old Proisir mare who had placed at her previous two starts leading into the race.
“It was a good effort from Nymphadora Tonks,” Carston said. “She is a tough thing, really hard work. I thought she would win last start at Cromwell but she kicked out at the start and went three rounds of the track without the jockey so was late scratched.
“She has a mind of her own but has a bit of ability and I think she will continue to improve.
“It was good to get a win for that syndicate who have just taken her over, she has been knocking on the door her last couple of starts.
“It’s a syndicate organised by Hunter Darry and they are a great bunch.”
Nypmphadora Tonks was also partnered by Asano, while four-year-old Jakkalberry gelding Barrett was ridden by Jacob Lowry.
Also racing at Riccarton was Grand Express who ran third over 1200m with Carston marking him as one to watch in the future. Hee’s Our Secret also ran third in his 1400m event.
“We had a couple of good placings on Friday, Grand Express is one to follow and will win a race pretty quick. Hee’s Our Secret is similar.
“Going into Christmas racing it is just good to have them running well, we have plenty of options and we just need to pick and choose where we go with them.”