KEY POINTS:
The trainer and rider of Saturday's $100,000 Manawatu Cup winner Nanjara are confident the mare will be suited to the 3200m of the Wellington Cup.
Nanjara coped admirably with the 2300m of the group three handicap at Awapuni, when running down 2005 winner All Square to score by a neck.
Local trainer Lisa Latta said the Wellington Cup at Trentham on January 26 would be considered for Nanjara. The distance was not a concern.
"I think she would be a huge chance. She's such a laid-back, relaxed mare," Latta told NZPA.
Her sentiments were echoed by her partner, and the horse's rider, Bruce Herd. "I don't think it will worry her. She'll stay all day," he said.
"She's got tremendous staying ability and she relaxes well.
"It's a help when you have got a horse who can put herself in the race and then drop the bit."
That was a key to Nanjara's win in the cup. On a day when so many of the winners raced handy to the pace, Herd was able to work Nanjara across from an outside draw and she settled well in the trail when Charlston took up the lead.
Nanjara was still getting into the clear when All Square hit the front early in the run home but Herd said she had her share of determination.
"She has won three times after being headed in the straight and then kicked back," he said.
"All Square went past me when I was looking for a run. But once I got into clear air, she kicked. Nothing was going to get past me then."
The win made up for a rare failure when Nanjara beat only four home in the Avondale Cup (2200m) on December 5 at her previous start.
It was the first time in 14 starts she had finished further back than fourth and Latta found it hard to accept at the time.
"We left that place so dejected," Latta said.
"I didn't watch the replay for a couple of days."
But when she did get around to turning on the video she was willing to forgive Nanjara.
"When I actually sat down and watched it, she was only five lengths from the winner."
Latta said rain on the day at Avondale spoiled Nanjara's chances. It was also her first start on a right-handed track.
Nanjara, by Kilimanjaro, was bought for $18,000 as a yearling and is raced by a mainly Hawkes Bay syndicate of eight, including Latta.
Latta said the win, her best at the track, was made all the more special being her home course.
She moved from Balclutha in South Otago at the age of 16 to work for Awapuni trainer Malcolm Smith and trained in partnership with him for 18 months before his death.
All Square fought strongly for second, while 1 1/4 lengths away third was the favourite Chettak, who raced mid-field on the outer.
Half a length away fourth was Three Chimneys who ran on well along the inner after being well back.
Kingsinga, a $5.10 second favourite, finished last after being in the last couple of the 14-horse field throughout.
An unlucky runner was A Great Life who was held up for a run until the last 200m but got home well for fifth when clear.
- NZPA
