Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Family tragedy may have instigated Rory Hutchings’ latest Kiwi stint, but his return home has been both a healing and rewarding experience for the Australian-based hoop.
Hutchings unfortunately lost his mother late last year, and yearning the closeness of family during the trying time, he returned to New Zealand to spend time with them and he elected to continue to ride while he was home.
“I wasn’t initially coming out for as long as I did,” Hutchings said. “I only came over because of family reasons, we lost Mum before Christmas, and I thought I may as well stay for a little bit and ride.
“I thought it was quite important to come back and be around them (family), and it has helped me out as well.”
While being around family was good for his soul, Hutchings’ decision to ride proved fruitful, with the 30-year-old quickly adding to his Group One tally when riding the Gavin Bedggood-trained Kingswood to victory in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
It was a sentimental win for Hutchings, who recorded his first Group One win in the race 11 years prior aboard the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Soriano.
“I was lucky to find Kingswood and get that Group One,” Hutchings said. “That race holds a special place in my heart being my first Group One win all those years ago and it was good to do it again. It’s the day after Christmas so it is always a good time of year.”
Hutchings recorded a further 13 wins in the ensuing months, equalling his tally from last year’s New summer stint, but he improved his stakes tally by one thanks to his dominant victory aboard Geneva (Time Test) in Saturday’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham.
It was the first stakes victory for trainer Kylie Hoskin, and Hutchings was pleased to end his time in his homeland on a high.
“He (Geneva) obviously had good form going into it and he was dominant yesterday,” Hutchings said.
“It was really cool seeing the emotion on her (Hoskin). I didn’t know until after the race that it was her first stakes winner and she has done a great job with that horse.”
Hutchings was set to resume riding in Sydney following Champions Day at Ellerslie earlier this month, however, he was suspended for his ride on Kingswood in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
“I left after Champions Day but unfortunately I got suspended on Kingswood, so I haven’t been riding since I have been here (Sydney), but on Wednesday I think I have my first ride,” Hutchings said.
His suspension ended the day prior to racing at Trentham on Saturday and he flew into Wellington to ride the Chris Waller-trained Mare Of Mt Buller in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and while she was unplaced, he was rapt to secure another Group scalp with Geneva.
“Unfortunately, Chris’ horse didn’t go very well, but it was a good consolation riding a Group Three winner,” Hutchings said.
Hutchings has enjoyed his time riding in New Zealand this summer and said he has appreciated the balanced lifestyle it has offered.
“I am really close mates with all the boys in the (jockeys) room and it’s a lot more relaxed at home, I can just have fun and ride at a pretty high level at the same time, it is a good balance,” he said.
Hutchings is now looking forward to reestablishing himself in Sydney, a place he now calls home, however he hasn’t ruled out a return to New Zealand for further riding stints, particularly given his success over the past couple of summers.
“New South Wales has been my home for 11 years now,” he said. “I like the challenge of New South Wales racing and the money is second to none over there. We can ride just about every day if we want to, so it is a good lifestyle.
“I will play it by ear (summer), I am just focussed on New South Wales at this stage, I haven’t been home for a while and I will see when the time comes.”
