KEY POINTS:
Trainer Neville Couchman says he is not disappointed with Grant Cooksley in replacing him with Lisa Cropp on Gee I Jane for Saturday's $200,000 Telegraph Handicap.
Cooksley was beaten by Donna Rosita in a close photo finish to the $150,000 Railway at Ellerslie, but Couchman says that is not the reason for the replacement.
"I can't say Grant rode a bad race in the Railway. But I think Lisa will suit her perfectly and she's been onto me for some time to put her on - not that that's the reason for the change either," said Couchman.
"Lisa's got a quirky riding style and Gee I Jane can be a funny mare - I just think they'll get on well together."
The way Gee I Jane's overall luck has been for three months few could begrudge Couchman looking for something to change the fortunes for his outstanding mare.
The Telegraph Handicap will be one of the season's highlights.
Yesterday the TAB had Gee I Jane at $5 second favourite to Darci Brahma ($4) with Jokers Wild on $6, Seachange on $7 and Hasta La Ciao Ciao on $9.
The TAB was always going to have Darci Brahma as favourite since more than a month ago it fielded a bet of $11,000 at $8.
"I just hope the weather settles down this week," said Couchman.
The bookies office at the TAB did not alter the $5 favouritism quote for Wahid for the $200,000 Thorndon after the horse finished only fifth in Saturday's $30,000 Rural ITM Handicap at Awapuni.
Trainer Allan Sharrock was not worried about the unplaced run.
The track was officially rated as good, right on the cusp of dead and good with most jockeys declaring their opinion for dead rather than good.
Wahid is only at his best on very firm footing.
"The Thorndon has been our goal all along and he'll wear blinkers for it," said Sharrock.
The underrated Bonjour was shortened in from $18 to $10 for the Thorndon for his win at Awapuni.
THE ODDS
$200,000 Telegraph
$4 Darci Brahma
$5 Gee I Jane
$6 Jokers Wild
$7 Seachange
$9 Hasta La Ciao Ciao
$300,000 Wellington Cup
$5.50 So You
$5.50 Willy Smith
$7 Kingsinga ??
$8 Three Chimneys
$10 Respect
$200,000 Thorndon
$5 Wahid
$7 The Foreman
$9 Fiscal Madness
$10 Bonjour
$10 Charliehorse
