Denifostova ‘russian’ to the winners circle on debut

Most reinsmen and women can easily recant their first winning harness racing drive, but very few have the pleasure of experiencing it in their first attempt on race day/night.

Young Russian horsewoman, Kristina Denifostova, did just that and opened her New Zealand driving career with a bang last night at Cambridge Raceway when winning the $25,000 Bay Of Plenty Cup aboard Fernleigh Cash (Bettor’s Delight).

Denifostova has been with Stonewall Stud where she started as a volunteer while waiting for a work visa to come through for six months now, and by all accounts has made a large impression on her employers with a huge appetite for work and a genuine love for the horses.

This was evident in the fact the countries leading stable entrusted her to open her New Zealand driving career in a feature race on the Cambridge programme.

“I am very grateful to the Stonewell team to be here tonight and get this win,” said Denifostova to Jo Stevens of Trackchat after the race.

“It means a lot to me and that I am driving good and on the right way and I’m looking forward to future drives. He went amazing and was very tough and very brave and I really felt his desire to win and I enjoyed that drive very much,” she said.

The drive behind the eventual winner was hardly a sit and steer job in an action packed Bay Of Plenty Cup.

Denifostova had the son of Bettor’s Delight four back along the markers before following stablemate DJ Rock and Josh Dickie around to the chair with a lap left to run.

It looked like the young Russian was having a hard time holding her charge who appeared to be overacing outside the leader, however DJ Rock put in a few rough strides and left the debutant driver in front where she was soon challenged from all corners as things started to get serious.

Under the urgings of Denifostova, Fernleigh Cash responded well and fought gallantly to hold out the challenges of his race rivals and win the Country Cups feature by three quarters of a length from Miki Shan and Bad Medicine paying a healthy $10.20 for the win.

FERNLEIGH CASH REPLAY

The pacing success was somewhat of a novelty for the reinswoman who to date had never driven a horse wearing hopples in an official race capacity.

“I started my harness racing career when I was 13 or 14 years ago as an amateur driver. I used to drive just trotters in Russia so pacers is something new for me and I am getting used to that.

“One day in my life I just decided to move here because of life circumstances. I was waiting for my work visa but I decided I should start as a volunteer and it was an amazing time and I really enjoyed it. I am very happy with the team we have there. We have lots of horses and lots of work to do which is the best way to learn. I believe in working more than talent and luck,” she said.

Steve Telfer was naturally delighted with the bounce back to form for Fernleigh Cash who only six months ago won a Group Race under the ribbon of light at Alexandra Park. The Stonewall stable has been on fire to start the new season racking up wins all over the country to hold the early lead in the training premiership with a commanding 15 win lead over their nearest rival.

“It was very good and it was great to see the horse back into some form and he’s been racing better the last few starts. I’m especially thrilled for Kristina, she has been with us for about six months and is a hell of a worker and just loves the horses, I couldn’t be more proud of her really,” said Telfer.

“He is a nice horse, he won the Spring Cup about six months ago but his form tapered off a little bit but we think we have him back on track and he showed his ability tonight,” he said.

The night got even better for Stonewall Stud when Joca’s Hill (What The Hill) and Joshua Dickie saluted in the feature trot on the programme a race later.

“He has always been a nice trotter and had quite a bit of speed but didn’t always have the headspace for it,” said Telfer.

“We have taken our time with him and since Josh has come on board he has really helped with this trotter, he is getting the best out of him and we are starting to see on the track what he has been doing for 18 months. We are really excited about him and what he’s got in store for the future.

JOCA’S HILL REPLAY

“I’m really happy with our start to the season and hopefully we can keep it going,” he said.

For complete Cambridge results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink