Two fold success for White Robe Lodge
The win of Gold Leaf over over hurdles at Wingatui on Sunday (5/6/2016) was two-fold success for White Robe Lodge. Gold Leaf gave stable jockey Shankar Muniandy a win in his first ride over fences. Gold Leaf is by WRL sire Gallant Guru. Muniandy (29) served his apprenticeship with WRL trainers Brian and Shane Anderton and he has been schooling Gold Leaf over jumps for about 18 months. He has won 183 races on the flat. Gold Leaf was having his third start over fences. He is raced by Brian and Lorraine Anderton, Terry Burke, of Tamworth, The Diamond syndicate, Ron and Jennifer Williamson, of Twizel. The 7yr-old son of Rodrigo de Triano mare, Ciao, bred by Tiger Hill Farm Ltd, won four races on the flat when raced by Burke. Gallant Guru was also represented on Sunday by Patrick Erin, a five and a quarter length maiden winner over 1200m. The 4yr-old, who raced in a Norton bit, had been placed in his three other starts, with some big efforts. Patrick Erin is raced by his Christchurch breeder, Pat Smith with his wife, Janice, daughter, Jackie Smith and Pat's school friends, twins, Tony (Christchurch) and Graeme Handisides (Auckland). Patrick Erin is a brother to Gallant Boy, winner of five races for Mr Smith from the WRL stable. Gallant Boy won an open 1600m at Wingatui in March. Mega Babe (by Personal Escort), the dam of Gallant Boy and Patrick Erin, has also left the winners Gallant Babe, Beijing Boy and Tunza Vitality. Gallant Babe, who won two races when trained by Danny Frye, was consigned by Mr Smith to WR last week to be mated with Ghibellines. Mega Babe died in 2013, the year after she foaled a filly to Raise The Flag.
Bourban Goldman (by Gallant Guru) finished third in the group one Queen Elizabeth 11 Cup (2000m) in Singapore. The Bruce Marsh-trained Bourban Goldman (ex Zerperfluous), bred by Brian and Lorraine Anderton and Eric Parr, has won five races and $S435,000 ($NZ462,000).
Heroic Guru (Gallant Guru -Enzed) won the $HK1,165.000 Violet Hill Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley last week. He has taken his stake earnings to $HK3,633,900 ($NZ671,980).