Ablaze impressive winner

Ablaze extended a family association with an impressive maiden win at Wingatui on Saturday. The 4yr-old Raise The Flag - Alight entire tracked the leader over 1200m and dashed away to win by two lengths. Ablaze, an impressive type, finished second in his other start. He is raced by co-trainer Brian Anderton with Mickle Weastell, of Christchurch. They bred Ablaze, whose dam, Alight has left Star Son (by Seasoned Star), winner of four races in 2009 from seven starts when trained by Alex Cowan. Star Son was then sold to Hong Kong but did not reproduce his form. Ablaze is the seventh foal of Alight who was unplaced in seven starts. She is by Personal Escort from Bi Light, who won 11 races, including a listed race for 3yr-old fillies at Riverton in 1990 when trained by Brian and Shane Anderton for Weastell's mother, Mary Dalley. Bi Light also left Lights Up, winner of five races when trained by Weastell.

Bi Light was by Noble Bijou from Lamp Light, who won the Otaio Plate (2500m) at the 1979 NZ Cup meeting when trained by Brian for Mrs Dalley. Lamp Light was bred by Dalley from a mating of Mellay and Rich Light (by Martian 11), who won two races for Dalley's father, Bill Hazlett when trained by Bill Hillis.

White Robe Lodge figured prominently at the Otago racing awards function on Saturday. WR took the awards for sprinter,  Include; jumper, High Forty; trainer, Brian and Shane Anderton; apprentice jockey, Jacob Lowry; jockey, Shankar Muniandy; special achievement, Who Shot Thebarman and  owner-breeder, Wayne and Karen Stewart.