Racing: Apprentice allowance is not required

Michael Pitman at no stage got serious about reducing Final Reality's 59.5kg in the Richards Construction 3yo Handicap at Awapuni tomorrow with an apprentice allowance.

And in making that decision he says he was thinking as much about the stress for an apprentice as he was about Final Reality.

"If you put a 3kg claimer on you immediately put them under pressure," says Pitman.

"It's not like this horse is a jump and run horse - he's much better when he's finishing on."

Final Reality will carry the full 59.5kg with regular rider Darryl Bradley in the saddle.

"Darryl knows the horse well and that can make up 2kg of the weight."

Final Reality is one of those true freaks on rain affected footing.

His win under 58.5kg on a slow track at Riccarton last start was remarkable.

He simply jogged past the leaders in the closing stages and had lengths to spare as he went to the line three lengths clear of the opposition.

On that performance you have to say the 59.5kg is not prohibitive.

His record says it all - unbeaten in two starts on slow footing and four races in the heavy stuff.

He is on trial in this race.

"He could continue going north and run in a 3-year-old 1600m at Ellerslie, but that is a handicap, or he could go to the 1600m weight-for-age race at Wanganui next week," said Pitman.

"He is nominated for Brisbane, but that is not an issue at this stage.

"I might take him home and prepare him specifically for the Winter Cup.

"I've never had a horse to set just for that race.

"This horse loves Riccarton, loves bad ground and he runs on well and those are the three things you need to win a Winter Cup."

Despite the weight Final Reality will concede to his opposition, there does not appear to be one good enough to beat him.