Variety of owners in White Robe Lodge winners
Owners, some long -standing and one experiencing a win for the first time figured in Outram's win. Long-standing owners also featured in Danzi Creek's win. Both horses were White Robe Lodge-trained maiden graduates at Wingatui on Thursday.
It was the first win for Owen Diack, who is in the ownership of Outram, named for the Otago township in which he resides. He is a co-owner of the Gallant Guru - Minnaloushka 3yr-old gelding with breeder Rob Johnstone, of nearby Hindon; Ian Nichol, of Outram and Ray Kean, the East Taieri-based president of the Otago Racing Club.
Ian has raced numerous horses with WRL, among them Tommy Tucker (2017 Canterbury Gold Cup and 2018 White Robe Lodge Weight-For Age), One Chance (1998 Racing Ministers Hurdles at Ellerslie and Great Western Steeplechase) and All Chance(1998 Timaru Cup).
Ian and Ray race Heberite, who has won twice from the WRL stable.
Outram is the second foal and first winner from Minnaloushka, a Black Minnaloushe mare who won the listed Canterbury Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton in 2010 when raced by Rob with trainer Mark Harris.
Danzi Creek is raced by breeders Brian and Lorraine Anderton with David and Cecily Cochrane, of Kaka Point and Stewart and Colleen Rutter, of Balclutha. She is a 4yr-old mare by Raise the Flag and the first foal of Powder Creek, winner of three races and a half sister by Danzighill to News Flash (nine wins). The ownership group of Danzi Creek has been winning races for 14 years. They first had success with Ruby's Gem (Personal Escort - Ruby Bijou) who won six races, the first at Gore in October, 2005. Ruby's Gem left them Ruby's Rose, winner of four and Gallant Ruby (five), both by Gallant Guru. Wingatui has been happy hunting ground for the owners. Ruby's Gem won four there, Ruby's Rose three and Gallant Ruby three.
Outram and Danzi Creek were both ridden by WRL jockey Jacob Lowry, Outram got up in the last stride over 1200m and Danzi Creek finished resolutely to score by half a neck over 1600m.