Betcha Wood out to surprise trainer

Trainer Evan Rayner admits he has doubts about Betcha Wood for today's $35,000 Wanganui Stakes but remains hopeful of a pleasant surprise

Betcha Wood won the weight-for-age listed stakes race at Wanganui last year but Rayner said it was difficult to be confident about the 7-year-old gelding on his form this campaign.

"He's had three runs and he hasn't improved a lot with any of them and it's a pretty sharp field," Rayner said.

But victory today would not be a total surprise as Betcha Wood has excelled at Wanganui in the past.

"If he's in the right mood, it takes a lot to catch him around Wanganui."

Rayner said he thought Betcha Wood would win first-up at Tauherenikau on April 8 but his rider was inconvenienced with slipped saddle and the horse finished last of seven runners.

At his next start, at Awapuni a week later, he again finished last and last time out, at Foxton on May 13, he was fourth of five runners.

- NZPA