Racing: Well heeled and ready to go

John Sargent is pleased he's over a worrying few days with Naturo.

The unbeaten class act suffered from a bruised heel heading into tomorrow's $125,000 Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, but the campaign has been salvaged.

"She bruised the heel winning at the Cambridge trials last week and I had to swim her for a few days, but she's fine now," said Sargent.

"She had a good gallop on Saturday morning and another one on Tuesday and she goes to Manawatu a fit and hard filly."

In which case Naturo is the horse to beat in what is a particularly strong field.

Naturo turned in what was almost certainly the best juvenile performance of the season so far when she came around the field to win the Robin, Duke Of Bedford Stakes at Matamata in February.

She covered more ground than any other runner and the sprint she turned on from the 220m was devastating.

"She's got the barrier draw (No 5) so there'll be no excuses," says Sargent.

Despite being to the races only twice, Naturo has an air of maturity about her, a valuable asset in these high class 2-year-old races.

Born-again training partner Paul Moroney is tipping Jokers Wild slightly ahead of stablemate The One for group one honours at Manawatu tomorrow.

Moroney believes the regular pattern of the way they run the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes will aid Jokers Wild more than The One.

"We believe this race often suits horses running close to the pace and Jokers Wild will be ahead of The One in running."

Jokers Wild's form prior to his group one win at Ellerslie last start had been patchy.

But Moroney believes the horse has finally put it all together.

"His work this week has been the best of the campaign."

Befitting a group one race and the $125,000 stake, this is a hot field - whatever wins will deserve it.

Takanini trainer Bruce Wallace is encouraged about his runner Royal Pericles, despite the eighth placing behind Jokers Wild at Ellerslie last start.

"I was in Singapore when that race was run and after hearing it down the phone I was initially disappointed, but when I saw the video when I got home I changed my mind."

Wallace had changed the bit on Royal Pericles' bridle for that race and knows now that was a mistake.

"We used a soft snaffle bit and tied his mouth closed, but it didn't give enough control and Lisa [Cropp] couldn't steer him when he got to the first bend - he wanted to go straight ahead.

"Lisa had to drag him back, which meant he lost his place, but he ran on well and I thought to finish only two lengths from Jokers Wild under the circumstances was a terrific effort."

Wallace has switched back to the original steering gear and says Royal Pericles is in the right condition to figure after having to recover from a lightning trip to Melbourne for the Blue Diamond just before the Ellerslie race.

"He's put on weight since Ellerslie. He seems bright and has been working well."

Regular rider Gary Grylls was unable to take the Ellerslie mount because of a family commitment, but is back in the saddle for this race.

Chant turned in a superb effort for a close second to Jokers Wild at Ellerslie after covering extra ground from a wide gate, but has drawn barrier No 15 of the 16 runners.

* New Zealand TAB fixed-odds markets:

Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, $125,000, 2yo, group one, 1400m: $3.85 Naturo; $5.50 The One; $9 Imananabaa, Jokers Wild; $12 Cadre Noir; $13 Royal Pericles; $14 Chant; $15 Castlebar; $16 Richard Beymer; $20 Udiditagain, Ifionlyhadtime, Miss Toffelees, Habana; $25 Solvini, Slammington; $60 Rapid Rielle.

* Awapuni Gold Cup, $80,000, wfa, group three, 2000m (run at Awapuni on Saturday): $4.50 Hurrah; $4.75 King Of Ashford; $5.50 Tusker, Kerry O'Reilly; $8 Atapi, Distinctly Secret; $12 Pretorius; $13 Madame Shinko, Irish Rover.

FANCIED ONES

* Well-fancied Naturo bruised a heel last week, but has made a full recovery.

* Unlike a couple of her main rivals, Naturo has drawn an inside barrier.

* Stablemates Jokers Wild and The One are among the many dangers to the Matamata filly.