White Robe Lodge in the limelight

White Robe Lodge provided the stars at Riccarton on Saturday when Tommy Tucker won the $50,000 listed Easter Cup (1600m) and his rider, stable apprentice Jacob Lowry rode three winners for the stable from four mounts. The trio of winners, Tommy Tucker, Gallant Boy and Ablaze are by WRL sires who are represented in the New Zealand Bloodstock South Island yearling sale on April 21. Tommy Tucker and Gallant Boy are by Gallant Guru and Ablaze is by Raise The Flag.

Tommy Tucker carried 60kg in the Easter Cup, conceding up to seven kilograms to his rivals and won by two and a half lengths on a heavy track. It was his 14th win in 45 starts and took his stake earnings to $290,245. Tommy Tucker had won the race last year under 57.5kg. He is the first two-time winner of the event (registered as the George Adams (Tattersall) Handicap) which was established in 1964. Brian Anderton, the co-trainer and part-owner and breeder of Tommy Tucker, trained Watallan(ridden by John Dowling) to win the race in 1971 when it was run over a mile and a half (2400m). He also trained the 1993 winner Clarendon Ruby (Debbie Kennedy). The distance was reduced to 1600m in 1981. The 60kg is the biggest weight carried to win the race. Lowry is the first apprentice to win the race twice.