WELLINGTON - Waikato trainer Royce Dowling will have no excuses if Nothing Lika Tango is beaten in tomorrow's group three $50,000 Winter Cup (1600m) at Christchurch.
Dowling said all appeared well with the Dance Floor five-year-old gelding who last night was listed as the equal second favourite on the TAB's fixed-odds market at $6.50.
Nothing Lika Tango arrived in Christchurch from Cambridge on Wednesday and Dowling said the horse had coped well in his first trip outside the North Island, appearing to have settled in well at the Riccarton stables of Peter Williams.
Dowling said the Riccarton Park track conditions were yesterday rated as heavy, with a penetrometer reading of 4.8, and similar footing tomorrow would suit his charge."The wetter the better," he said.
Dowling was frank when asked how he would rate the gelding's chances. "He should be hard to beat. He's been set for this race and if he gets beaten, he's not good enough."
Nothing Lika Tango has raced only twice in his current campaign without paying a dividend but Dowling said he had not been disappointed.
He weakened to ninth when resuming at Te Awamutu on July 8 after looming up on the home turn.
Dowling said it was a better effort than the placing suggested.
"He missed the jump by two lengths, was five deep and the rider went too soon."
There was an improved effort at his next start when fourth in the $20,000 Winter Cup Trial Handicap (1400m) at New Plymouth on July 22.
Nothing Lika Tango was only 1 1/2 lengths from the winner Blue Veil at the finish and Dowling said he was doing his best work in the latter stages.
"He was just starting to get going at the line."
Dowling said the extra 200m of Saturday's race should suit even though Nothing Lika Tango has yet to win at the distance and that eventually he would make into a stayer.
Nothing Lika Tango is a grandson of Limitless who Dowling trained to win the 1987 Brisbane Cup (3200m).
"It's a very good staying family.
"He's a big horse that has taken time to develop. But he's had the time, so now he's got to prove himself."
Nothing Lika Tango showed much promise as a three-year-old.
He won four of six starts up to 1400m and ran second in another over 1600m.
- NZPA
Racing: Nothing Lika Tango settles in for cup
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