"You can make a real case he was stiff," says co-trainer Jamie Richards. "This is not his grand final - there is a fair way to go - but he has done very well since the Tarzino."
The great feature about Gingernuts is that he will not worry about track conditions. He is every bit as good with mud up to his fetlocks as he is running on a surface resembling the main road. Conversely, two of the leading chances Kawi and Volpe Veloce were badly put off by the rain-affected track that the Tarzino offered.
As of yesterday the jury is out on what conditions will be tomorrow. Some level of rain that was not expected fell at Hastings. The moisture content at the start of racing tomorrow will be critical to the eventual result.
Kawi and Volpe Veloce will be suited on a surface that is no worse than a 6 or a 7. On a track reading around that, or better, they are the two the Gingernuts camp have to worry about.
"I thought his Tarzino run was terrific on the wet track," said Kawi's trainer Allan Sharrock.
Rider Jason Waddell felt the same. "He got tightened coming up to the turn and I felt it was a great run."
You could argue the 1600m is Kawi's optimum distance.
Volpe Veloce was exceptionally game in the conditions.
The Hastings 1600m barrier is a shocker with its very short run to the turn into the back straight. Horses drawn wide in a very competitive field can suffer badly.
The leading chances have drawn reasonably - Volpe Veloce No5, into No3 with the emergencies gone. Gingernuts No9 into No6 and Kawi the worst: No 12 into No8.
Stephen Marsh has probably the two best mild upset chances in Thee Auld Floozie and Sofia Rosa.
Thee Auld Floozie momentarily looked the winner at the 400m in the Tarzino, but ran out of condition late, but was only five lengths away at the finish. This is her favourite trip.
Like a lot of back runners, Sofia Rosa can get into trouble in running. From back in the field at the 600m she was so badly tightened in a packed field she twice had her head over the running rail just before the home turn and just after it.
"She's going to be at her best when they get to the final leg," says Marsh, "but she will run a cheeky race." A dead to slow track is her best.
Punting pointers
Heading for better: Hanger, R2, Taupo. Stakes placed behind Summer Passage at only 2-year-old start last preparation. Nicely drawn and will be difficult to stop.
One better this time: Aotearower, R5, Taupo. Finished strongly into a close second on this track last meeting. Has beaten better fields than this.
Class: Belle Du Nord, R7, Hastings. Meets some sharp fillies in the Gold Trail, but will hold her own. Badly drawn, but will probably get back anyway. Look for her to be steaming home.
