NEW PLYMOUTH - Manawatu galloper Jolly Rodger will be on trial for a much bigger assignment when lining up in the $12,000 Opunake Cup (1600m) at Hawera tomorrow.
The Yachtie five-year-old gelding needs a good performance in the Opunake Racing Club feature to clinch a start in the group three $50,000 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton the following Saturday.
"He will need to produce a good run if he is going to go to Riccarton," trainer Mark Oulaghan said.
Jolly Rodger is one of the early favourites for the Winter Cup and yesterday was paying $10 on the TAB's fixed-odds market.
He returned to winning form last start with a stylish victory in open class over 1600m at Matamata on July 13.
"It was quite a strong run that day," Oulaghan recalled, adding the horse had trained on well in the interim.
"He looks to have done things fairly right since and I'm happy with him."
Oulaghan's only concern was what the track conditions would be at Hawera.
All of Jolly Rodger's six career wins have been on tracks soft or better.
"He doesn't like it too wet."
The Hawera track was being described as soft yesterday, but rain was about the area.
Jolly Rodger has had three starts on heavy tracks although so far he has failed to run a place.
The Opunake Cup has drawn a handy field headed by The Blazer with 58kg. The Blazer has been scratched and will instead start in the previous race, a $10,000 event over 1200m.
But the presence of The Blazer in the Opunake Cup field could assist stablemate What A Hassle. The entry of The Blazer has compressed the weights for those below and What A Hassle appears to have benefited with a handicap of 54.5kg.
Another scratching from the race is Nothing Lika Tango who is also being aimed at the Winter Cup.
"The only reason we put him in at Hawera was in case he didn't make the field at Riccarton," said a stable spokeswoman for trainer Royce Dowling.
"But the second acceptances were taken yesterday and it looks like he won't have any trouble getting in."
Nothing Lika Tango is expected to head to Riccarton early next week.
- NZPA
Racing: Opunake outing prelude to Riccarton
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.