Milford Sound leads the field home at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South.
Milford Sound broke maiden ranks on Thursday with a stylish win in the Piccadilly Books Stocktake Sale On Until 15 March Maiden (1600m) at Riccarton.
The son of Ocean Park stepped out a $1.50 favourite in the mile contest and trainer Andrew Carston admitted to feeling the pressure due to the pre-race hype.
“It’s been a long time since I have been so nervous before a maiden race,” he said. “It was a relief to get the win really.
“He got the job done and he is a really nice horse, I have always thought that, he has just taken a bit of time mentally and physically.
“I think he will improve again off that. He is quite exciting.”
Carston is now eyeing a trip north with Milford Sound who was second at his last start in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m).
“We will take him on tour,” Carston said. “I will see how he comes through it, but the plan is to take him to Awapuni in three weeks’ time for the Manawatu Classic (Gr.3, 2000m).”
Bred by North Canterbury nursery Beaufort Downs and raced by John and Sally Wigley, Milford Sound is a grandson of Group Two winner and Group One performer Irlanda and hails from the extended family of Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Chenille (NZ) (Pentire) and another Group Two winner and Group One performer in Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel).
“It is the first winner I have trained for them,” Carston said. “It was great to get the job done.