Matamata raiders Vinaka and Forfar are poised to grab the big prizes in the feature events at Trentham today.
Vinaka lines up in the group three $100,000 Ford Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) and Forfar in the group three $50,000 Accenture NZ St Leger (2500m).
High-class filly Flying Babe was the toast at Matamata on February 24 when she won the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m), but Vinaka also had tongues wagging after whipping the colts and geldings in the Fairview Slipper (1200m) the same day.
His time was 1:9.98 compared with Flying Babe's 1:10.33.
The pair were set to clash today but Flying Babe has had a minor setback and is not starting.
Vinaka's part-trainer and owner Jim Gibbs said he was surprised how the gelding dealt to his rivals.
"Yes I was impressed. He did better than I thought he would, but this is the big test for him."
The Volksraad juvenile has only had five starts for two wins, two seconds and a third and Gibbs said he was most unlucky his winning tally wasn't three. That was when he tackled Flying Babe in the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on January 2. He was beaten by a long head after luck in the running went against him.
"He's done everything right since Matamata and if all goes well, he'll carry on to the Sires races."
Leith Innes takes the mount today.
The stable will also be strongly represented in lesser races by Butterscotch in the Drake International - "a good filly" - and Jaiapeno in the VATC Lightning Handicap.
"He'll give some cheek over this distance," Gibbs said.
Coup Ray and Elfonze look the two to throw down the gauntlet to Vinaka.
Coup Ray was a winner at the Wellington Cup meeting and he then finished third to Flying Babe at Te Rapa.
"He drew wide at Te Rapa and the general feeling was that if he had drawn inside he may have run second," trainer Snooky Cowan said.
"I don't think he's top class yet but he's on the way to it. He seems very happy in himself and is quite a dude to take away from home. As long as he gets a good meal, he's real laid back.
"I think he'll improve further with this race and we're looking at the Sires (Produce) races after this."
Noel Harris rides him again.
Coup Ray will wear blinkers for the first time, which could boost his chances.
Elfonze's trainer Wayne Herbert thought it would have been interesting had his filly not been held up at a crucial stage when a 2 1/4 lengths second to Flying Babe in the Breeders' Stakes at Matamata.
"David [Walsh] opted to switch off the heels of the second horse as he thought he might get carried back and it probably cost her some momentum."
Two starts earlier Elfonze was a hot favourite when a close third at Trentham.
Herbert said Elfonze improved with that run which saw her win decisively at Tauherenikau in her leadup to Matamata.
Elfonze is one of only four in today's race - the others are Blackrock College, Green Jeans and Aeolus - who are eligible for the $1 million triple crown series. To collect, a horse needs to win the Wakefield and both Sires Produce events.
Shinnecock was fourth, seven lengths from Vinaka at Matamata, but trainer Bruce Marsh expects improvement today. Before that he was runner up to Flying Babe at Te Rapa.
Marsh will have a strong hand in today's main sprint with Buster Brookfield and Golden Butterfly and he finds it difficult to split them, though if there's rain about Buster Brookfield's chances will soar.
- NZPA
Racing: Vinaka for Wakefield after whipping Matamata rivals
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