Palmerston North jockey Chris Allen would love nothing more than to win the $15,000 Manawatu Steeple for his boss Mark Oulaghan on their home track tomorrow.
Allen rides Oulaghan-trained six-year-old Another Pirate again after their upset win on the course last month when Oulaghan was in Kentucky with the stable's international jumping star, Rand.
Allen has a growing reputation as a jumps jockey even though his tally of wins on the flat, five, almost rivals his total over fences, six.
"I'd just love to win the Manawatu Steeple for Mark on our home track," he said.
"Mark was the one that talked me into trying my luck over fences in the first place, and he has taught me everything."
On paper, Another Pirate has a major task ahead of him defeating the likes of Waikato Steeple winner Silver Archer, but Allen isn't fazed.
"I'm going to ride my horse as if free-goer Silver Archer isn't there - I can't ride him any other way because Another Pirate just takes time to warm to the task," he said.
"Silver Archer still has to get round, and the Manawatu fences have caught many first-timers out before.
"I'm confident because, despite my horse having missed a lead-up race or two in the last few weeks, he has been kept up to the mark in training, and is galloping well. He feels tremendous."
Allen, able to claim 2.5kg, has to get down to 59.5kg and admits he'll have to do a bit of wasting.
He rides Hooter Bedford in the Awapuni Hurdles at the same weight and warns punters to forget the latter's last start effort in the Waikato Hurdles.
"He just couldn't get his feet out of the puggy ground at Te Rapa and he's a wee horse who needs it a bit looser," he said.
- NZPA
Racing: Pirate in line for Another steeple
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