Daytona Red (NZ) Dominates St Leger

Talented stayer Daytona Red (NZ) (Sebring), who cost $75,000 at the 2015 Premier Sale, took his career to a new level with a runaway win in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Yealands Family Wines New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham.

Making his first start at stakes level, the four-year-old circled the field approaching the home turn and raced clear in the straight. With Matt Cameron in the saddle, the Shaune Ritchie-trained chestnut scored an emphatic victory by two and three-quarter lengths.

Daytona Red was bred by Gerry Harvey and offered by Harvey’s Westbury Stud at the Premier Sale. Ritchie bought him for $75,000 and trains him for owners Mrs L A Cowley, R J de Lautour, G W Halse, J F & Mrs P Hirst, J McKittrick, C J, P J and Mrs S R Mitchell.

Peter Mitchell also raced the legendary Bonecrusher (NZ) (Pag-Asa), a champion New Zealand galloper of the 1980s. Shaune Ritchie was the strapper for Bonecrusher, who was trained by his father Frank.

Daytona red, who races in the famous cream and brown Bonecrusher colours, has now had 10 starts for three wins and $70,080 in prizemoney.