Racing: $1m not enough for a piece of Pentane

The owners of Pentane have rejected out of hand an offer from Australia of $1 million for 49 per cent of the horse.

Senior owner Peter Fraher told the Herald yesterday that he had not taken the offer seriously.

"He's basically not for sale, but he certainly wouldn't be for sale for that sort of money."

Pentane races for $1 million in Saturday's Kelt Capital Stakes and for A$5 million in the Melbourne Cup five weeks from yesterday, and is a live hope in both races.

A half share in a horse like that for a million dollars, plus the remainder of the career of a horse that has had just 13 race starts, would be a good bit of business.

"We're having a whole lot of fun with this horse and were really looking forward to Saturday," said Fraher.

Trainer Lance O'Sullivan said he was delighted with Pentane's progress since winning at Paeroa last Saturday week.

Pentane is second favourite at $4.75 for the Kelt Capital.

The best news is that the Hastings track for the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes has so far missed the North Island's Big Wet.

The Hastings track was 2.9 and dead yesterday morning and bathed under a clear sky all day.

Which is great news for the supporters of Kelt favourite Seachange, who has a noted dislike of rain-affected footing.

Hawkes Bay Racing's racing manager John McGifford said the only remaining concern was a weather forecast which predicted a change to the south and rain for Hawkes Bay tonight.

"We tend to get little rain here from the south, most of the rain we get is when the weather is in the easterly quarter."

Continuous heavy rain that has swept over much of the top half of the North Island for three days missed Hastings.

"We got 10mls yesterday and it's lovely and fine today. A lot depends on whether we get the rain they've predicted. Obviously if there is a deluge it will make a difference, but if we get about the same amount as we've already had it will make no difference."

Fine weather is predicted for Hastings on Friday and Saturday.

Seachange remains the clear Kelt favourite at $2.50, followed by Pentane on $4.75 and Wahid and Zarius at $6.50.

TAB odds for the remainder: $9 Hurrah, $12 Balmuse, $20 Shamrock Star, $22 Legs, $28 Sculptor, $30 Cedar Manor, $40 Mikki Street, $50 Kerry OReilly, Lilakyn, $80 Rags To Riches, Sir Slick.