Race Images South
The Tony and Lyn Prendergast-trained Who Dares Wins recorded a hat-trick of wins at Riccarton on Friday when taking out the Christchurch Casino Open (1600m).
The six-year-old son of Iffraaj recorded stakes victories in the Listed Easter Cup (1600m) and Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) in April and punters duly installed him as a $3.40 favourite for Friday’s contest.
He did not disappoint, winning by a neck over the fast-finishing Owen Patrick, with a further three-quarters of a length back to stablemate Showpin.
Jockey Jason Laking, who rode Who Dares Wins in an 1150m trial last week, was pleased with the win and said the trial hit-out tightened up his charge nicely heading into Friday.
“I thought that they were going to run past him, but he hit the line well,” he said.
“He lost a shoe (in the trial) so it was a bit of credit to him (to finish runner-up in his heat), but it trimmed him up nicely for today.
“Nothing bothers him and you have to put that down to Tony and Lyn Prendergast, they live for this horse and they place him well.”