He’s too modest to say it, but that was quite a training feat for Trent Yesberg to produce Iff I Get Paaid to win on the Riccarton synthetic track last Friday.
After an interrupted preparation and just one start resuming on a soft track that’s not her go, a staff favourite in Ripple Creek’s dual-code stable showed real heart to get up by a head in the Join TAB Racing Club race over 2100 metres.
Paige as we know her has a real liking for the synthetic surface. Both her wins to date have come there and she’s placed in another six starts on the track from 11 starts. “She really seems to go well there,” says Trent, “but the weight relief was probably her biggest asset on the day.”
As a rating 61 one-win mare in a Rating 75 race, Iff I get Paid was perhaps justifiably the rank outsider in the field. Jockey Abdul Najib’s allowance on top of her light handicap weight no doubt gave her some advantage when the pressure went on in the straight. “They were all getting tired at the 600 and she fought like a caged tiger,” added Trent. “She had a good blow afterwards and will still improve with the race, so exciting time ahead.”
A $125,000 Te Akau yearling purchase for members of Boys Get Paid, the aptly named Iff I Get Paaid was sold on Gavelhouse to Kimberley Hodgson after a short northern career. Kim was sharing training facilities with Trent at Rangiora and he took over ownership earlier this year. The mare now races under lease to a small but very enthusiastic group, some of them first-time owners. They’ve had a lot of fun with her already, and those on course at Riccarton’s Christmas at the Races meeting certainly had a party after her win!
Iff I Get Paaid can boast 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare in her pedigree through their third dam. Not in his league of course, but Trent’s sights are now set on upcoming country cups over the summer. There’s confidence in the team she’ll provide plenty more memorable racing moments for her loyal connections.
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