Racing: Rhythm Method's reliability good news on heavy tracks

Rhythm Method's reliability in heavy ground takes a major headache out of picking a winner at Te Aroha today.

If you ask his Matamata trainer, Lance Noble, they don't come a whole lot tougher.

In his last campaign, the promising Rhythm 4-year-old went from a fresh-up maiden 1200m win in August to an impressive 2000m intermediate victory at Matamata four starts later.

"Not many horses have done that in such a short time," said Noble.

"I think he'll go right through to open company on rain-affected tracks."

Rhythm Method has now had three tune-ups this time in and Noble is confident he is ready to return to winning form.

The first two runs back were on tracks simply too firm and at distances now way short of his best.

But Rhythm Method's fast-finishing last start fourth to Garden Party over 2000m on a deteriorating Te Teko surface last month suggests today's 2200m on an even heavier track is ideal.

Throw in Chad Ormsby's 3kg claim and the fact he meets one of the weaker progressive line-ups around and he shapes as the bet of the day.

Noble also saddles two stablemates, Sir Peter in a blowout for hurdle assignments ahead, and the lightly tried maiden Advanced in the last.

Forgive Advanced his last-start fifth at Rotorua.

Noble expected a whole lot more after the Daggers Drawn gelding fought so bravely for third at Matamata on debut.

But on pulling up it was revealed that the 3-year-old hadn't shaken off a stone bruise injury as quickly as first thought.

"Considering his foot swelled up after the race it might be best to overlook that run," said Noble.

On a card light in star power, on paper at least, the return of the promising 3-year-old Kenandaad spices up interest in the progressive 1400m field.

Trained at Te Aroha by Paul Carr, Kenandaad hasn't started since stumbling out of contention when Sista won the Waikato Guineas last spring.

He was backed into fourth favourite that day on the strength of impressive soft track wins in his first two starts.

Kenandaad was unplaced in a 1200m open trial at Matamata on May 31 but his raceday rider, Kelly Davidson, nursed him to the line close up behind the winner, Heez Leica.

If long-range targets are any guide he should stroll home on return today.

Carr has the two-race winner among early entries for the Kelt Capital Stakes, although he's still rated a $100 outsider this far out.