Racing: 'Birthday time' as consistent sprinter gets handy weight

Whether you back O'Cartier or not in the $32,500 Fairview Motors 1400m at Te Rapa tomorrow, you won't begrudge him a win.

Since running in the group one Telegraph at Trentham in January, O'Cartier has run up a remarkable record: 3-1-3-2-3-3-2.

And in those races he has carried 58kg, 57kg, 57.5kg.58kg, 58kg, 60.5kg and 59kg.

Tomorrow he carries 55kg, just 2kg over the race minimum after the claim by northern apprentice Rowena Smyth.

"He'll think it's his birthday - he's used to carrying me around in training then saddling up with those big weights on raceday," said co-trainer Karen Parsons.

O'Cartier was meant to be in the spelling paddock by now - something he has surely earned.

"But when the other horse [jumper Honour Victory] was coming up, O'Cartier came to keep him company."

Although best known as a dry-tracker, O'Cartier has had five starts on a slow surface for three wins and a placing.

Te Rapa's magnificent wet-weather surface should not inconvenience him.

There are a few handy types for the visitor to beat.

Veloz likes the Te Rapa track as he showed when coming back to winning form last start, leading throughout.

The 1400m is his pet distance.

Beach-trained veteran Who Knows will be a tough opponent again.

He finished one length behind Veloz last start when giving him 3kg. Who Knows is claiming 2kg with Jason Collett in the saddle and will be on level weights with Veloz.

The ever-consistent Taking The Mickey raced a little too keenly for his own good over 1600m at Tauranga last Saturday and if he attempts to do the same again the increased tempo of this race at 1400m should help.

Del Toro, Danz Star and Star Of Rio are talented types with chances in an open rac.e