New Zealand-based four-year-old Te Waewae Bay confirmed he is a stayer of the future with a devastating 3-1/2 length victory in the Lion Red Handicap (Race 4-2100m) at Ruakaka today.
The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained giant was ridden positively by Matthew Cameron, stalking the leader in running before letting loose and taking control of the race 600 metres from home. The son of Shamoline Warrior, who was on the fourth line of betting at $9, kicked well clear turning for home and gave nothing else a chance, running right through the line to confirm his staying potential.
► WATCH: Te Waewae Bay salutes in style
Te Waewae Bay had been building towards a peak performance, with water logged tracks limiting his racing opportunities in recent months, and this victory is his third from only 20 starts. Clearly this big fellow’s best racing is ahead of him, with his co-trainers confident he only needs time to develop into a more than handy city-grade stayer.