Racing: Jaunt out to put poor last-start run behind her

Waverley galloper Jaunt has the opportunity to make amends for a disappointing last-start effort when she lines up in the Taranaki Racing Club's main race at New Plymouth today.

The Jahafil five-year-old has been a staying find in the Central Districts this season and is headed for a bright future in the role.

She scored back to back wins at Wanganui and New Plymouth early in the spring before being run down late when a close fourth in the 2005 Egmont Cup (2300m) at Hawera last month in his first run in open ranks.

That run was made to look better when it was discovered Jaunt had been galloped on a round from home and returned to the unsaddling enclosure with a badly stripped hind leg.

Next up at her most recent appearance Jaunt could only manage sixth of 13 runners over 2400m at Trentham on November 1.

Regular rider Kane Smith said yesterday that Jaunt had an excuse at Trentham and was unlucky not to finish a lot closer to winner Three Chimneys.

"We decided to ride her cold at Wellington and we got back on the inside and they all swooped around me and we got stuck there.

"We didn't get out until well into the straight and she ran home pretty solidly for sixth. So there was an excuse for her not finishing closer."

Smith had two question marks over Jaunt's chances today. One was how she would handle the 58kg topweight she had been allotted and the other was how she would handle the likely firm track.

"A horse can carry a bit of weight going through the lower grades but she's now in the class where she's got to do it against the better horses.

Jaunt has won on firm and soft tracks. The Pukekura Raceway track was rated firm yesterday with a penetrometer reading of 2.0.

"She is a good mare and she does run consistently well, but the weight and the track conditions are factors that could come into play.

Smith was hoping the jar was out of the track, saying it would suit Jaunt.

The Palmerston North based hoop has struggled for opportunities this season and from 74 rides has ridden five winners and a further 21 dividend bearing placings.

Smith has three confirmed rides today, his other mounts being Papa Don't Preach in race two and will combine with first starter Sharbella in race three.

- NZPA