Heberite starts winning weekend

By Jonny Turner

Heberite started a winning run for White Robe Lodge stock that stretched across Australasia when scoring nicely at Wingatui on Friday.

Heberite (Raise The Flag-Arurite-Rua Rukuna) relished being back on top of the ground, producing an excellent staying performance to win in rating 65 company over 2200m for trainers Brian and Shane Anderton and rider Jacob Lowry.

The 6yr-old came in to race 3 after ploughing through a very testing heavy 11 Ascot Park track to run fifth in his first attempt over 2200m.

Heberite produced a brave fifth, but was clearly more comfortable on the dead 5 Wingatui track when clearing out from his rivals to win by a length and a half.

The victory was the third of the galloper's career for his owners Ray and Alison Kean and Ian and Sue Nichol.

Like so many of Raise The Flag's stock, Heberite is set to hit his straps now that he has been tried over 2000m and further.

The galloper will get his next opportunity in a 2200m event at Wingatui on Melbourne Cup day.

"It was very hard going for him on the heavy track at Invercargill, but he was much happier on the better track at Wingatui," Brian Anderton said. 

"It was quite a nice win."

"He will go to a 2200m race at Wingatui on Melbourne Cup day."

"It is a nice stake, so we will stay close to home in the meantime."

The White Robe Lodge racing team produced some excellent performances to nab top-three placings on Friday.

Our Teddy Boy continued his good recent form by running a strong second, just half a length from the winner, in race 1.

Monserrat backed up her recent win at Ashburton, following Our Teddy Boy home to run a hard fought third.

Swampman went his second good race for the White Robe Lodge stable in just his second attempt when third in race 5.

Phylitte (Gallant Guru-Enzed-Anzyan) fought hard to run third after leading throughout in race 6.

Just a matter of hours after the Wingatui meeting White Robe Lodge bred sprinter Ears The Barman (Ghibellines-Ears Carol-Carolingian) ran to his third career win at Pakenham.

The 4yr-old notched his second victory in four starts this season when zooming home from off the speed to score for trainer Philip Stokes and rider Michael Poy.

The victory came less than three weeks after Ears The Barman's dam, Ears Carol, died at White Robe Lodge.

The 4yr-old is the last foal from the grand producing mare, whose progeny are headed by Sydney Cup winner Who Shot Thebarman (Yamanin Vital-Ears Carol-Carolingian).

A winning weekend for White Robe Lodge sires was completed when Madam De Soir (Raise The Flag-Grace De Soir-Volksraad) won at Ashburton.

The 9yr-old notched her sixth career win over 2200m for trainer John Phillips and rider Tina Comignaghi.