Christian Reith bounced back from a disappointing defeat on Nechita in the Golden Rose last Saturday with an all the way win on Rolling Pin in the Group 3 $150,000 Patinack Farm Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle today.
Reith was searching for his first Group 1 win on the heavily backed Nechita in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday but after hitting the front at the 250m faded to finish sixth.
The Gwenda Markwell trained Rolling Pin was left in front shortly after the start and Reith had to throw pre-race plans out the window and led throughout to score a record breaking win in the Newcastle feature.
“It wasn’t the plan. He began like a gazelle, he wanted to fight me a little bit earlier but I just give him a bit of rein, got him to relax, got into his stride and he just felt fantastic,” Reith said.
“It was a tough race today, all credit to Gwenda and all her staff and the horse here turned up in tip top order and they we rewarded with the win.”
“He’s got a lot of improvement in him, and he’s always shown ability this horse and it’s good for him to pick up one of these races.”
Rolling Pin raced on the pace when beaten three lengths in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on August 25 then parked just behind the leaders with the same result in the Group 3 $125,000 Tattersalls Club Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on September 8.
Nash Rawiller ended up out the back on race favourite Kontiki Park ($3) and made his move coming to the home and after circling the field was unable to reel in Rolling Pin ($14) who kicked away at the 250m and held onto to beat the fast finishing Lightinthenite ($4.20) running a new race record of 1.29.16.
James McDonald had trouble securing a clear run on runner-up Lightinthenite, but once the five year old got into the clear rattled home for second with roughy Offenders ($31) running on for third.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Kontiki Park looked like joining in half way down the straight but wilted on his run to wind up in sixth spot.
