Racing: Serious business on fun day

It may look like a t-shirt and shorts kind of day at the low-key dual code Ruakaka meeting, but Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning hasn't headed north today just for the sun.

Three of his four runners - Dana Heights, Rags To Riches and Special Times - are huge winning hopes and the fourth, Merengue, a value place chance in the maiden 1400m.

Rags To Riches and Special Times are on trial for the rich Super Series at Trentham this month, while Manning is looking to Dana Heights to frank a five-star reputation in the maiden 2100m.

"I rate Dana Heights as a future cup horse - he has huge potential," said Manning. "He was my Derby hope earlier on but we just got too far behind the eight ball so we pulled the pin.

"The plan now is just to go along quietly, try and win a race or two, then worry about the bigger ones next season."

Manning said Dana Heights should have finished much closer than he did when fourth in his last start at Rotorua.

From his inside draw, Manning will be instructing Derby-winning rider Michael Coleman to have the Danasinga gelding a lot handier to the speed today.

"He led in an 800m trial at two so he should have no problems being three or four back."

Rags To Riches, another beaten favourite at his last start, will be at even shorter odds to make amends in the progressive 1600m.

The 4-year-old cost himself by over-racing then running erratically in the straight when edged late by Elferon at Te Rapa.

Manning has taken the hood off in the hope Rags To Riches races a little kinder for Coleman and is confident he'll be suited to the extra 200m.

"My only concern is that he might be a bit suspect right-handed but this field isn't as strong as the last two he's met."

The McKee-trained Star Of Rio is a huge danger if he gets an easy time in front for Peter Johnson.

Although his overall form this time up hasn't been flash, he has shown glimpses of the speed that licked a decent 3-year-old field at Ellerslie last season.

Manning is confident that his smart 3-year-old Special Times can book a ticket to Trentham in the final event on the six-race galloping card.

Rain at Avondale on December 22 tripped up Special Times last time out.

With an extra 200m and a firm track today, Manning tips him as the one to beat.

While stablemate Merengue's future lies over more ground, Manning is still expecting a big run from the Senor Pete filly.