After creating a huge impression with her debut hurdle win at Te Rapa earlier in the month, Matamata mare Iffitel made it two wins from two starts over the jumps when she took out the Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdle (2900m).

Jockey Aaron Kuru produced a masterful ride as he bided his time in the trail on the inexperienced mare as pacemakers Thatz David and Yipson set a mixed tempo out in front. Kuru didn’t panic when the Kevin Myers trained Kiddo looped the field to strike the lead at the 600m mark, hugging the rails to save ground and keep the six-year-old within striking distance.

Kuru made his move on the point of the home turn as he drove Iffitel to the front with race favourite Kipkeino in hot pursuit. Iffitel cleared the last fence in fine style to maintain a two-length margin to the line from Kipkeino with Kiddo battling away well to claim third.

Trainer Glynn Brick was quick to praise Kuru as he waited for his charge to return to the winner’s enclosure.

“Fantastic wasn’t it, that was a great sight,” he said.

“They call Chris Johnson the magic man but he might be getting replaced.”

Brick has his eyes on several of the feature hurdle events left during the winter now his mare has proven herself in top company.

“The fortunate thing now is, that being a mare, she will go up in the ratings but will get the two kilograms off so she won’t be affected weight wise,” he said.

“We can pick where we go now.

“First things first we will get her home and give her a few quiet days before we see where we are on Monday or Tuesday.”

The win took Iffitel’s career record to six wins from 41 starts with all of her victories coming on rain affected tacks which makes her an attractive proposition during the winter months to come. 

 Video replay: Iffitel wins at Awapuni