Racing: Ole Ole Bring on cavalry charge

Promising two-year-old Van Irving races tomorrow at Counties. Photo / Race Images

The Baker/Forsman cavalry charge is likely to continue at Pukekohe Park at Counties tomorrow with juvenile Ole Ole leading the pack.

The talented youngster was hampered by a wide gate at Te Rapa last start — the gas he had to use early to get across the face of the field counted against him late in the race and he was pushed back to third by two runners in slightly better footing in wider lanes on the track.

He has drawn the middle of the line in a small field for the Ssangyong Auckland Futurity Stakes and should be ideally suited. The barrier will allow Jonathan Riddell the option of going forward or easing back to take a trail perhaps in the one-one.

Ole Ole has shown great determination in his three starts and should cope with what will be a tough ask at least as well as any of the other youngsters.

Co-trainer Murray Baker rates the stable's other runner, Peaceful, as a "nice filly that should be a good 3-year-old next season".

Cyber Attack, co-owned by Peter Mitchell, who died suddenly last week, won well for the Pike stable at Te Awamutu last start. He looks the type to keep progressing.

The stable has Tomelilla and Crafty Jess in the 1600m open handicap early in the programme. Tomelilla won in stakes class at Rotorua perhaps thanks to a very tough track, and paid the price with a hefty 10 rating points hike. The resulting 57.5kg will make the job tough on a very heavy track and Crafty Queen, on 54kg might come right into the race.

Admiral bolted in last time and will love the heavy conditions.

● Stephen Marsh isn't quite sure what to expect of his two-year-olds who are chasing black type honours at Pukekohe Park.

The Cambridge trainer has Sol Invictus and Van Irving in the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) and the prospect of a Heavy 11 track has left him guessing as to the outcome.

"It was bottomless there for the last meeting and it might be worse this time, I don't really know how they'll handle it," Marsh said.

To be ridden by Troy Harris, the Haradasun colt Sol Invictus placed at the trials before he finished third behind Grand Ariana, a race rival again, at Waipukurau.

"I think he may cop the heavy track better than the filly and the 1400m will suit him," Marsh said.

Van Irving was an impressive debut winner at Rotorua and she was then luckless when unplaced under Harris in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1100m) behind her stablemate Santa Caterina.

"She's a good filly and she didn't get the rub of the green last time out," Marsh said.

"Troy came back and said if he had got clear air all the way she would have been right in it."

A daughter of Rip Van Winkle, Van Irving is expected to be an even more potent proposition as a three-year-old.

"I like her and you'll see her in some good races next season," Marsh said.

Meanwhile, he wouldn't be surprised by a form turnaround at Doomben from Ruud Not Too, who tailed the field home in last Saturday's Listed Bright Shadow Stakes (1200m).

"At the speed they run 1200m races over there she was run off her feet," Marsh said. "She's done it before, run a poor one and then won, so she can bounce back."

She will be ridden by Jim Byrne in the group three Lord Mayor's Cup (1630m).

- additional reporting, NZ Racing Desk