Treble for WRL sires

The White Robe Lodge-trained News Flash was among three winners for WRL sires on a seven race card at Ascot Park (Invercargill) on Wednesday (8/2/2017). Stable apprentice Jacob Lowry was seen at his best when urging News Flash (Gallant Guru - Stage Flash) home by half a head under topweight of 58.5kg in a rating 85 1400m.

News Flash attended Gallant Dan in the lead and stalled off A Beautiful Knight to whom he was conceding 7.5kg.

"I gave him (News Flash) a couple of reminders in the run home and pushed him the last bit,'' said Lowry. News Flash has now won eight races and $80,000 in stakes for owners Brian and Lorraine Anderton. Earlier in the day Lowry won a maiden 1600m on Taniwha (Gallant Guru - Just Rhythm), an emotional occasion. Don McFarlane, the owner of Taniwha died the previous day and the riders in the race wore black armbands. McFarlane was a member of the committee of the Southland Racing Club and a former president. He shared the ownership of Taniwha with Kelly Thompson. They bred Taniwha, the first foal of Justice Prevails mare Just Rhythm who won three races. They raced the 2011 Great Western Steeplechase winner Kakapuka and Mr McFarlane earlier raced the speedy Lara Pinta, Palm Bearer and Rakahooka Looka. He also bred Jotunheim (High Ice - Star Fylja), who did not win a race in 13 starts but became a member of the Japanese Olympic show jumping team. Taniwha is trained at Ascot Park by Jim Curran.

Lowry has now ridden the winner of 75 races and $1.2 million in stakes.

WRL sire Raise The Flag sired Madam De Soir, who cleared maiden ranks over 2100m. She is trained at Winton by John Phillips, who races her with his brother Barry. She is out of Grace De Soir, who won five races to 1200m. The daughter of Volksraad won over 1200m at Ascot Park in 1.09.17 in 2006. She has also left Dermott Brown (three wins).

Coulee, winner of the group three $70,000 White Robe Lodge Handicap (1600m) at Wingatui, has the Valachi Downs South Island Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton on March 25 as her next aim. She won the race for fillies and mares last year.