Waikato galloper San Luis has been unable to get within three lengths of Vinaka in two clashes but trainer Chris McNab is not yet prepared to throw up the white flag in the $120,000 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) today.
San Luis finished behind Vinaka in the Ford Slipper Trial (1200m) at Matamata on February 24 and the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Trentham on March 10.
"My horse was still learning and doing things wrong in our previous clashes," McNab said. "But we have put that all behind us now."
The Flying Spur colt has had one start since and, with Vinaka out of the way, he could not have been more impressive winning the Ford 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth on March 24.
"For the first time San Luis went out and did everything 100 per cent," McNab said.
McNab said luck in the running would play a big part but he was pleased to see a bit of speed in the race, which should allow San Luis to take a trail from his handy No 7 draw.
"Vinaka is obviously going to be hard to beat but I believe my horse is right up with him," he said.
It will be only the second Sires' Produce runner for McNab, having produced Gogo Gomez to run fourth in 1991.
However, he won the race as a jockey on the Bill Sanders-trained Lunar Probe in 1977.
San Luis will be ridden by Noel Harris, who is enjoying a wonderful season, with 14 group or listed stake victories.
The Sires' has often proved a frustrating race for Harris, though he did win it aboard the Graeme Sanders-trained Ballroom Babe in 1995.
Harris had recorded five seconds before that and has also been third three times.
McNab is hoping the track stays reasonable. San Luis coped with an easy track when second to Vinaka at Matamata but is a better horse on top of the ground.
The same applies to stablemate Ete Pins, who tackles the $30,000 Flying Handicap (1200m) on the same programme. She has been racing consistently without a lot of luck.
"She's got a decent alley (seven) for a change and with Lance (O'Sullivan) up, she's got to be a huge chance," McNab said.
"But she wouldn't want any rain."
Another Waikato galloper, Our Beekay, makes a giant leap in class with a new jockey in the $30,000 (Listed) Fairdale Stud Howbaddoyouwantit Flying Handicap (1200m).
Woodville apprentice Thomas Russell has picked up the ride at the expense of the gelding's regular pilot, David Peake, who is unbeaten on the son of Blazing Keel.
Our Beekay has won five of his seven races, all in succession, but he blotted his copybook (eighth) in a three-year-old 1200m behind Fun Luv'n Criminal at New Plymouth last start.
He carried 57kg compared to the winner's 52, but had won a similar three-year-old 1200m event under 58kg at Ellerslie over New Year. For his open-class debut he drops to 51kg.
Owner-trainer Errol Partridge was disappointed with Peake's ride at New Plymouth and is quietly confident Our Beekay will justify his place in a very strong line-up today.
"He just didn't get in the race at New Plymouth," said Partridge, who expected Our Beekay to be finishing on at the end.
- NZPA
Racing: Hope still high for San Luis
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