Local trainers look for early present

Punters have another chance to enjoy racing at Ruakaka tomorrow with the second Summer Festival race day.
The first day on January 5 was a great success, and this is the first time Whangarei Racing Club have hosted this mid-January date. It gained the extra meeting due to the Avondale Jockey Cub relinquishing its licences to race this season.
Local trainers will be out in force, with runners spread across the eight-race programme.
Among them is Chris Gibbs, who with training partners Donna and Dean Logan, has 10 horses entered.
"It is Donna Logan's 50th birthday on Friday so we are hoping we can win a couple of races here tomorrow to start off the celebrations early," Gibbs said.
Previewing several of the Logan Stables' runners, he said Babarbara Ann should be right in the finish of race one, the Cowley's Hire Centre 1600m Maiden.
Ace High is having his first start over ground in race four - the Stella Artois 2200m Rating 80 - and is better than his form indicates.
"O'Tryst, entered in race five and eight, ran a very good fourth at Ruakaka in his first start and should be right in contention. Storm In, Blow the Road and El Viento are all expected to improve on their last-start efforts," Gibbs said.
In race six, the Takanini Feeds Northern Getaway 1400m Rating 80, C'Mon Cuba and Wimoweh are up against a strong field.
"But C'Mon Cuba has been freshened and loves his home track while Wimoweh is looking to go one better than a last start second here at Ruakaka."
Fellow Ruakaka trainers Lisa and Kenny Rae have Mrs Pea starting in race one at their home turf, as well as Cassius in race two, the 91.6 More FM 1200m Rating 70 and Red Hat Lady in race three, the j9@breambayrealty 1200m Maiden. The trainers returned from a three-week stint in the South Island for tomorrow's race day.
The Raes took 11 horses to the South Island, and travelled around attending various summer race meetings, with considerable success.
"We based ourselves in Riccarton and moved onto Greymouth, and attended meetings in the region. We were quite successful with five winners and a number of places ... we have done this for the past three years and it is like a working holiday for us - although it was pretty intense with so many race days," Lisa Rae said.
Minimum stakes in the South Island are higher than the North Island, and the fields are often weaker.
"It is hard to win anywhere ... so to win means something for the horses' owners."
The Lars Pearson Hearts Delight, and Danvinsky both had wins on the South Island circuit and will go head-to-head in Saturday's Gore Guineas - a group three race, which Kenny Rae will attend after tomorrow's meeting at Ruakaka.
There are eight gallops races on tomorrow's card, with the first race starting at 12.35pm.