Visiting northern rider Alysha Collett added to an already profitable day when she guided talented stayer Bloodstream to an emphatic victory in the Redwood Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday.
Collett, who is enjoying the best season of her career to date, had already taken out one of the day's major prizes when successful on Prom Queen in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes two races earlier. Punters were of the firm belief that Collett had win number two for the day in the bag as they installed Bloodstream as a dominating favourite for the 2500 metre event.
That faith was well rewarded as she gave the five-year-old a perfect run against the fence throughout before angling to the middle of the track and dashing away in the final stages to score by a widening three and half lengths at the winning post.
It was Collett's fifth win from 10 rides on the Duelled gelding and the cause for plenty of smiles after the race.
"He found a really good rhythm today and relaxed nicely in midfield," she reported.
"I couldn't have asked for anything more as he hit the line well to win after being a bridesmaid to a good horse in his last couple of starts.
"He travelled up well and although I thought I might have gone a little too early he got the job done."
Stable representative Ryan Thistoll was also a happy man as he discussed the immediate plans for the horse who had started one of the favourite's in the Wellington Cup earlier this year.
"It was good for him to get back over ground and finally have things go right," he said.
"Wellington didn't really work out for him then he ran into Tommy Tucker in his last couple and we couldn't beat him.
"He is going to take a well-earned break now and we'll bring him back for the Winter Cup."
The Gr. 3 EstarOnline 120th Winter Cup is the feature event on the first day of Riccarton's traditional three-day Grand National Carnival that commences on 5 August this year.
