Racing: Just don't fall off, Coleman advised

Manawatu trainer David Haworth joked yesterday about riding instructions for Banchiere in Saturday's $100,000 Winter Cup at Riccarton in Christchurch.

Banchiere is to be ridden by Michael Coleman in the group three 1600m handicap at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting. Haworth said about the only advice he would give Coleman was not to fall off.

"Just keep a leg either side and hurry home," Haworth said.

Coleman will be having his first ride on the Faltaat 5-year-old gelding and Haworth said he was confident unfamiliarity with the horse would not be a concern for Coleman. He said Coleman was too good a jockey for that.

"He's just a good rider. He'll have no problems."

Banchiere has been ridden in five starts this year by Haworth's Japanese apprentice Tomohiro Sasada who posted the best win of his short career when the horse won the $50,000 Marton 1600 Handicap (1600m) at Awapuni, Palmerston North, on May 27.

Haworth, who trains in partnership with his wife Sarah at Foxton, said he had set Banchiere for the Winter Cup since that win and the horse had raced well enough in two subsequent starts.

The first of those races was at Otaki on June 24 and although a well beaten fifth, Haworth was not disappointed as the horse had previously suffered a setback.

"He had quite a nasty foot abscess," he said.

Banchiere had his last start in the $30,000 Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Awapuni on July 15 and fought well for third to Bernard Rex.

Haworth said the run was all the more creditable as Banchiere finished on the inside in very heavy track conditions.

- NZPA