Racing: Wanganui Guineas big chance for Waldorf

Waldorf looms as the horse to beat today. Photo / Race Images

Waldorf is presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to add to his black type record today.

The winner of last season's Listed Ryder Stakes, he looms as the horse to beat in the Listed H. S. Dyke Wanganui Guineas.

"I expect him to be thereabouts, if not winning it," part-owner and trainer Andrew Campbell said.

"The only times he's been out of the money were at Ellerslie, where I was happy with the way he got home, and in the Karaka Million when he got galloped on."

Waldorf will be ridden as usual by Johnathan Parkes and the Highly Recommended colt is expected to be prominent from the barrier.

"Socially Excited looks like he'll probably lead and we'll sit up in second, similar to the way he won the Ryder," Campbell said.

The Opaki horseman, who will move his operation to Cambridge at the end of next month, will also saddle the favourite Beastmode in the Wellfield Lodge 2YO, in which he will be opposed by just two rivals. The youngster was a runaway winner of his only trial at Waverley last month.

- NZ Racing Desk