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Overtheriver continued his excellent winning strike rate on Saturday when he bounced back at Awapuni from an uncharacteristic failure at his previous appearance.

The Wanganui gelding has been widely travelled this preparation by Kevin Myers and had collected a West Coast double at Reefton and Kumara in January before completing a hat-trick when next seen at Poverty Bay.

Overtheriver was understandably a warm favourite at Waverley last Sunday, but he bombed the start before rattling home to finish a decent seventh.

The four-year-old was back to his best behaviour on Saturday in the Crombie Lockwood Premier and bounced out of the gates smartly for apprentice Rebecca Goldsbury.

They stalked the clear leader Don’t Gloat to the turn and took charge half-way down the straight for Overtheriver to post his seventh career victory in 20 appearances for owner Dan O’Leary.

“He got a nice sit behind Don’t Gloat and then came over the top,” Goldsbury said. “It was a really nice opportunity from Kevin Myers today.”

Goldsbury, who was having her first ride for the Wanganui trainer, signed on as an apprentice with her father David last spring after riding as an amateur for the previous 14 months.

Meanwhile, Pokuru Asif put his problems behind him with a courageous win in the Mills Reef Winery/HK Jockey Club Trophy.

He made the running and kicked back strongly for rider Vinnie Colgan after they were headed by Stunning Princess 150 metres from home.

“He’s been very gallant and so brave to hang on,” trainer James Bridge said. “He’s had a wind operation and we’ve had to deal with a few other issues as well.”

It was a successful return to the central districts for Bridge, who moved north from Woodville last spring to new quarters at Byerley Park.