A nudge and attempted kick was all it took for Matamata trainer Peter McKay to acknowledge Antonio Lombardo a big chance at a rain sodden Tauranga on yesterday.

The 7-year-old gelding obliged with an easy win in the New World Summer Cup (1400m) to notch career win number 13 dating back five seasons.

Antonio Lombardo and stable apprentice Shaun McKay, combined for a win at Tauranga on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell.

"He tried to push me into a bush and kick me out the back before the race," McKay said. "I knew he was feeling well and he can still do it when he wants to."

The win on a Heavy10 track was just Antonio Lombardo's third start on a heavy surface. He has won twice and placed in the other.

"He won the Wellesley Stakes on a Heavy11 when he was a 2-year-old," McKay said. "I wouldn't run him on a bottomless heavy track these days, but a summer heavy track seems to be okay."

Apprentice Shaun McKay, son of the trainer, rode a positive race and stole a march on the home turn, an advantage he never looked like relinquishing.

At the post there was a five and three quarter length gap back to black-type performer Lauren Tate in second, having a fresh-up run for the previous day's Group I Railway Stakes winning owner-trainer John Morell. The third place-getter was the locally trained Matimba.

With over $640,000 in stakes, connections won't be setting any ambitious plans.

"He can't go against the good company anymore, but we will pick away."

Raced by McKay, his wife Kim and long-time stable client Trevor Luke, he has been a wonderful horse since his 2-year-old days highlighted by a second in the Karaka Million and has won six times at black-type level.

Serious punters need to check the Pirongia Boxing Day equalisator results and paste some names in their hats.

The first at Tauranga reinforced the Pirongia policy that has worked for astute punters through the ages.

Swiss Ace gelding Straight Sets romped home serving a blow to favourite punters who had unloaded on Pacquiao.

The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained runner paid a handsome $25 on the win tote and $4.70 the place in the hands of Lee Magorrian.

She bounced, led, was travelling like the winner and always looked to have the chasing Pacquiao in strife and kept up a strong gallop to the line.

"The horse that beat him at Pirongia [Unconquered] could be the best horse in my stable," Rogerson said. "This is a very good horse."

Battling into third was another of Rogerson's Pirongia performers Tavigarde ($3.30) who filled the same spot at Pirongia behind stablemates, the talented Red Sheeran and Myladyachiever.

Rogersons won five of the six gallops races at Pirongia, one was Contestant who ran second at Taupo a few days back paying $5 the place - stay alert.

Clerk of the course Terry Wenn had the pleasure of watching Undiscovered win the Rating 65 2100m race from astride his mount.

Wenn owns and trains the winner at Cambridge and the Duelled 6-year-old is building a good record at Tauranga.

He has now won three from four at the Gate Pa track, his only other win coming at Te Awamutu.

Undiscovered revelled in the wet conditions and effortlessly travelled into contention moving clear by two and three quarter lengths from Irish.

- Stuff