Wall-to-wall weekend
It’s a massive weekend for Go Racing and one in which the unpredictable spring weather will play a big part.
It kicks off today with last start winner Sentimental Miss in the Group 3 3YO 1600 metres Lucia Valentina Wellington Stakes at Otaki worth $70,000. Says trainer Lisa Latta. “She shouldn’t mind a little give in the track but how the fence is playing will be crucial from barrier 1.” Sam Collett will ride.
It’s all on at Ellerslie on Saturday with six Go Racing runners.
In Race 1 Belle Testa won’t mind the predicted rain. Says trainer Stephen Marsh, “She has drawn awkwardly and is up against a strong field but she is going well and third up steps to a distance (2100 metres) that suits her.”
Raposa Rapida resumes in a rating 65 1200 metres worth $27,500. He has drawn barrier 1 and Jason Waddell will do the riding. Stephen Marsh couldn’t be happier with how he is going but says he will need a reasonable track to show his best.
Another promising runner from the Marsh Racing stable, Prince Albert who has the Derby as his main 3YO aim, competes in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO 1500 m worth $50,000. “He will be stepping up significantly in grade and we have a question mark over wet tracks for him, but he’s drawn nicely, is a talented colt, and it’s decent prize money so we’ll probably throw the dice and run him.”
Stephen McKee has Maktoum in race 6, which is also a Dunstan Rising Stars qualifier for $30,000. “It’s a terrible draw but the wet track shouldn’t bother him and he has any amount of ability.” He competes against last start winner O’He Can who’s drawn similarly badly beside him and should get away with a slow track, but probably not a heavy one.
McKee also has Top Actress in the final race of the day who is stepping up in grade since her maiden win last start. Sam Spratt will ride and she should handle any rain affected going.
Over the ditch Mark Two runs at Rosehill and the team are expecting a big improvement from her with Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy on board. “Track conditions shouldn’t matter and her wide draw won’t count against her over the longer distance of 2400 metres. It is superb prize money with her racing for A$125,000.”
Finally, in Central Otago on Sunday Mighty Solomon has his first start for Andrew Carston in the Open 1400 metres worth $35,000. Says Andrew, “He gets in with a great weight of just 54 kilos. I’m really happy with him and Terry Mosley will ride. Ideally, he wants a dead track but is likely to start if it’s a Good 3 or thereabouts.”
Says Racing Manager Albert Bosma, “We are certainly looking forward to that big line up. There will be a good contingent of Go Racers at Ellerslie and we hope to see our colours flying all day long.”