Sincere surprised trainer Andrew Carston with his win in the Te Akau Racing (2200m) at Phar Lap Raceway on Saturday.
The five-year-old Savabeel gelding almost died from a mystery illness in August, following a trip north to Cambridge where he finished seventh in the $100,000 TAB 2000 on the Synthetic surface.
“He got really sick in August, and we nearly lost him. Carston said.
“We don’t know what caused it, but the vet was extremely surprised that he survived given how bad his blood work was.
“His three runs since then have only been okay and I was beginning to wonder if it took more out of him than I thought it had.”
Jumping from barrier five with stable apprentice Yogesh Atchamah on board, Sincere was caught wide early before slotting into the one-one position around the first bend, he kicked away in the home straight to win by a long neck.
“It was a good ride from the young fella, Yogesh, he put him in the right spot, and he won well,” Carston said.
Saturday’s win was Sincere’s fourth career win, and his first on turf for his owners P Reidie, M Scully, C, J & W Fretwell, C Houston, H Darry, Carston Racing (No.1) Syndicate, Making Memoirs Syndicate, I & S Kininmonth, A Murfitt and R Quirk.
“I’ve always thought he was pretty good which is why I took him to Cambridge,” Carston said.
“He’s always shown more on the synthetic surface than he has on the grass, so it was positive to tick that box of getting the win on the grass and great for his group of owners who have stuck with us throughout everything too.”
Carston had two winners at Timaru on Saturday, the other was four-year-old Rubick gelding, Mogul who returned to the winner’s circle almost a year after his maiden victory.
Ridden by Samantha Wynne, Mogul was settled towards the back of the field from barrier four, he met a wall of horses on the bend before he found a gap at the 200m mark and showed an excellent turn of foot, to win the Drift Inn & Go Racing (1200m) by a half-length.
“It was good to get Mogul back in the winner’s circle,” Carston said. “He’s always shown us heaps and he’s still learning, he still does things wrong.
“He put it all together today and he was impressive, both in his time (1.10.90) and the fact that he came from a long way off them and won well so it was a pleasing result.
“I think he’s above average so good to get back on track with him.”
Mogul has now won two and placed in five starts for owners Mrs S J & T A Hastings, A M & O L Tuthill, H J R, J R, M J and Mrs S A Wigley.
Carston was undecided on the next steps for both Sincere and Mogul, but he was looking forward to a big day at Kurow on Monday with 16 horses entered.
“I thought Sincere might have been going to the paddock, but we’ll need to reassess now, and I’ll have a think about Mogul too, but I do think he will win better races than what he won today.
“We’ve got a big team in at Kurow on Monday so let’s hope this run continues.” Click here to watch Sincere's win.
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