Racing: Volronamo returns to Wingatui

Volronamo could make a triumphant return to the Wingatui track at the Tapanui Racing Club's meeting today.

The showy chestnut has not set foot on Wingatui since he won the White Robe Lodge Handicap (1600m) in February 2004. He had also won the James Hazlett Stakes there a week earlier.

Volronamo departed for Melbourne later that year, transferring from North Taieri trainer Steven Prince to Brian Mayfield-Smith. Volronamo did not fire in four starts as a five-year-old in Melbourne last season.

He returned to New Zealand in March and following a spell won fresh up under 58kg over 1400m at Ashburton on September 4.

His subsequent two starts have yielded a close second to Mikki Street at Riccarton and a sixth behind Cog Hill in the Coupland's Mile at Riccarton.

Chris Johnson, who has partnered Volronamo in his latest campaign, again has the mount for today's $10,000 1400m open handicap.

Said Prince: "Chris was disappointed after the Coupland's as a couple of things went wrong. Volronamo stumbled at the start and he got into a lot of trouble during the race."

He said Volronamo had thrived since the race. Prince believes the horse is at about the same level of fitness as when he won the Hazlett-White Robe Lodge double.

He is viewing today's race as a lead up to the $30,000 Timaru Cup (1600m) on December 28. Volronamo was second to Portofino Bay in the 2003 Timaru Cup.

Prince has a handy team for supporting races, with Eirek in race one, Season's Song in race two, Hukild Daspida and Midnight Jazz in race three and One to Come in race seven.

Season's Song was a first-up winner at Wingatui on November 1.

"She has put on 12kg since her last race. She is a tough filly," Prince said.

Eirek was beaten half a length by Palmac on November 1 at her first start. She is racing over the same distance today.

Hukild Daspida was held up for a run when fifth at Wingatui on November 1. She finished a good third at Gore in her other start.

Midnight Jazz, who was placed in five of her seven start last season, ran third in a trial recently. One To Come is in a 2070m maiden.

"It is her first start beyond 1600m and she is looking for more ground," Prince said of One To Come.

- NZPA