New Zealand bridesmaid Kristov was, until yesterday, better known for his minor placings than wins given his 18 seconds and five thirds (plus 13 wins) from his 43 starts. But labels were meant to be shrugged off and the 6yo Slavic gelding added a second group one race to his tally when he led all the way to win the NZ$150,000 weight-for-age New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellersie yesterday.

Quote of the week goes to jockey Hayden Tinsley who after the race said: "After we got back Phil thanked me for the ride and I thanked him for his training, but we should probably both be thanking the horse."

(A sideline comment - a horse in New Zealand can win 13 times (2 at Gr 1 level) and have a rating of 111 - and still have less than half a million dollars prize money. It's an appalling state of affairs.)