Waiting tactics pay off with Asgard

A patient approach with Asgard was rewarded with an impressive breakthrough victory at Otaki.The strapping son of Almanzor was making his fourth appearances and improved on a previous runner-up finish at Tauranga to win with a minimum of effort over 1600 metres.“I’ve been really happy with him and he’s a big, strong horse and still a work in progress,” Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan said.“He’s had a few issues and we’ve had to take our time with him, which is paying off now.“Once he gets to 2000 metres, I think he’ll really hit his straps.”Asgard worked his way into second spot and strode to the front 300 metres and gave rider Wiremu Pinn an easy run to the line with five lengths to their closest rival on the post.“They went so slow early on and I was caught wide, so I let him roll along and he put them away nicely,” Pinn said.Bred by Nearco Stud, Asgard was bought by HBV for $7250 when offered by Curraghmore via Gavelhouse at New Zealand Bloodstock’s South Island Sale.He is a half-brother to the dual Australian Group 3 winner and Group 1 performer Annavisto with their dam the Tavistock mare Avisto.She was a talented performer who was successful three times at Listed level and it’s also the family of our G2 Royal Stakes winner Polygon.