KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's top jockey, Lisa Cropp, will ride 3-year-old The Pooka in the $250,000 group one Mudgway Stakes (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.
The Pooka, who will carry just 51kg, had drifted to $26 in the Mudgway market but heavy support for the horse over the past two days has meant he now shares the third line at $11.
There were bets of $1000 and $500 on The Pooka at $26 on Monday and further support yesterday. "He's now our worst result in the race," TAB chief bookmaker Paul Lally said.
Trainer John Wheeler has always had the rich Hawkes Bay series in mind for The Pooka but until recently doubted that he could get the horse ready.
However, a winning trial run at Woodville last week and a jumpout on his home track on Monday persuaded him the horse is ready for the feature.
"He went super at the trials and was quite impressive in his jumpout.
"The race is worth $250,000 - it's hard to find them in New Zealand - and we've got a good rider," he said.
' The Pooka won the group two Wakefield Stakes at Trentham and the group three Ford Classic at New Plymouth last term and also finished second to Crossyourheart in the $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique.
A series of minor setbacks caught up with him in the autumn and he was the beaten favourite in both the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie and the Sires' Produce Stakes at Awapuni.
"We didn't have any soundness problems but little things went wrong all the time," Wheeler said. "He had a skin disease, a stone bruise and then he got caught up in a fence.
"I think he's a very good horse and could be right up with the best of them. If he can find the line strongly he will take some beating."
The Pooka will be getting a minimum of 5kg from his Mudgway rivals.
Michael Walker has gained the mount on Pukekohe visitor Cog Hill, while Mark Hills will ride Gaze.
David Walsh is on Hasta La Ciao Ciao and Noel Harris on Bonjour.
Twenty horses were left in the Mudgway yesterday with Veloce Bella the only notable withdrawal.
The Hastings track was rated slow, with a penetrometer reading of 3.9, but is expected to improve.TAB fixed-odds: $2.50 Seachange; $10 Kay's Awake, The Pooka; $12 Princess Coup; $13 Sir Slick; $14 Cog Hill, J'Adane; $15 Splashing Out, Jokers Wild; $21 Who Knows, Porotene Gem, Hasta La Ciao Ciao; $26 Bulginbaah, Aimee's Idol; $31 Sarajay.
- NZPA
