Stud and racing team win at Ashburton

By Jonny Turner

White Robe Lodge notched a range of successes at Ashburton on Friday with the wins of Montserrat and Stella Creek.

Montserrat ran to a deserved win for White Robe Lodge's training arm when scoring in rating 65 company over 1600m for trainers Brian and Shane Anderton.

The 7yr-old jumped well and put herself on the pace before driving through on the inner to win for rider Racha Cuneen.

Montserrat had gone good races in her three starts leading in to her win without quite being able to crack a placing.

With three wins on heavy tracks, the mare had been considered a wet tracker.

However her victory came on the best going she had encountered this time in - on

the slow 7 rated Ashburton track.

"We always thought she was a mudder, but she might just want the sting of the track now, rather than a heavy track," Brian Anderton said. 

"We were thinking about pulling the plug if she didn't shape up, but she did shape up, so she is still sailing."

"She will probably go to the Wingatui meeting next month next."

Montserrat is bred and raced by Pat Kennedy, who owned 1988 Australian Grand National Steeplechase winner, Derrydonnell (Trelay).

White Robe Lodge produced the runner-up in the event this year in star stayer, Ablaze (Raise The Flag).

Earlier on the Ashburton card, Brian and Lorraine Anderton enjoyed success as breeders and owners with Stella Creek.

The 3yr-old daughter of Per Incanto and strong producing Monashee Mountain mare, Cherry Creek, trailed the leader throughout before powering away from her rivals in the straight to win for trainer Terri Rae and rider Kylie Williams.

Stella Creek was topped last year's South Island Sale when knocked down to harness racing trainer Graeme Anderson for $72,500.

Anderson syndicated the filly and Brian and Lorraine Anderton kept a share in her.

The half-sister to White Robe Lodge Handicap winner, Coulee, will now be aimed at feature 3yr-old race leading in to the New Zealand Cup Carnival.