Racing: Who Knows - veteran just may win

Who Knows makes a return at Ruakaka this weekend. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Some horses just love producing their best when fresh from a spell.

Who Knows is a beauty at it.

The veteran is not infallible, but since returning from Hong Kong, Who Knows has had five races when fresh from a break for two wins and three seconds.

Which suggests the rising 9-year-old is a chance in Race 3 at Ruakaka today in his first race since November.

Who Knows (No1) won this race a year ago when coming off a spell. He carried 57kg with an apprentice allowance on that occasion and this time will go around with 58kg on his back via Alvin Ng's claim.

He looks well up to winning this even at his advanced age. Kool Kid (No5) also has good course stats at Ruakaka and is worth looking at for multiples.

It's not a headlining lot that's going to the start for Race 1 at Ruakaka and Special Steps (No1) put enough points on the board in his last campaign to suggest he could go close to quitting maidens this time in his first start following a break. Front Foot (No2) and Siberty (No3) look the dangers.

Champagne Rose (No4, R2) has been racing in slightly stronger company than most of these and although a well beaten ninth at Ellerslie last start she will find this easier. She is trained on the course and won nicely here two starts back against a field that was similar to this in strength.

The 1000m of Race 4 will provide One Nite Stand (No3) an opportunity to zip around the bends quickly, but sometimes these short-course races are run at such a clip that they end up suiting the horses running on. Primo Quest (No2) is one of those and this might turn into an interesting contest. Not a punt race, but the trifecta could be interesting. Volitant (No4) and Pocket Diary (No6), who is unbeaten on the course, should be coupled up in multiples.

Local horses have an advantage at Ruakaka and Upsala (No1, R5) has the points on the board to make him a real threat here. His Foal Stakes fourth to Smoulder at Ellerslie last start is just about good enough to win him this against some promising horses, but none with his experience. He can race anywhere in a field and at level weights will take some stopping. Lol (No5) is equally promising and two local fillies Mygoodgrace (No8) and Shamabelle (No6) will provide good opposition.

Mary Agnes (No12, R6) beat herself when she dropped out of contention mid-race at Avondale two weeks ago before rallying so well she worked home into second to be beaten just three-quarters of a length. She is by Zabeel and they nearly all need blinkers to get their mind in the right place at some stage of their careers and it's a surprise the connections of Mary Agnes have chosen not to apply blinkers this time.

She is still the horse to beat though - she's a bit better than most of these.

The Whangarei Cup, Race 7, is close enough to a no-bet race. Nothing stands out and you can make a case against most of them. An each-way bet might be Reposado (No7), a previous winner on the course. He didn't get too many breaks when fifth last start and the time before was second to Kiri at Ellerslie. Local Ima Lady (No4) is a four-times winner on the track.

Albaladejo (No12, R8) doesn't win out of turn, but is capable in the right conditions. His first-up third on this track last start last month was an indication he wasn't far off winning form. The rain about will help.

Solidarity (No2) was disappointing at Tauranga last start after a good Ellerslie second, but we've said it a few times that any number of horses didn't handle Tauranga that day. He can do better here.

Race 9 is confusing. Quinn Tait (No1) is dropping back from R90 at Wanganui where he finished a good third, which followed a similar placing - somewhat unlucky - on this track.

He is one of the main chances along with last-start Avondale winner La Generous (No2). She has a remarkable record - she's won five races, but has not once been placed through her 25-start career. The only thing she hasn't done is be in the money at Ruakaka. Pentango (No5) and Svengali (No10) are chances in a very difficult contest.

The last is not a lot better, although Miss Loaded (No12) won well enough on this track last month to suggest she can probably successfully step up a grade. The only issue is how the track is racing late in the day. She won sharing the lead here last start, but her job would be made that much more difficult if the fields are swinging out wide on the track for the second half of the programme.

Regardless, she is still a leading chance. Masquerade (No10) didn't get too many breaks when beaten favourite here last start and it might pay to go on her good and close Ellerslie fifth the time before. The wide gate might be an advantage late in the day. Govind (No8) and Apatchee Tute (No5) are chances.

* It's going to be hard work at Trentham today. So, you need tough horses and Strapped For Cash (No1, R7) is certainly one of those. If it rains at Trentham this afternoon - showers are predicted - his job of handling the 59kg topweight in the Parliamentary Handicap will be that much easier. He loves loose, wet ground and he's up to beating these if he gets it.

Everyone's in love with The Brown Bomber (No1, R2) and this column is no exception. But we weren't quite as enthralled by his last-start Awapuni win as it seems everyone else was. It was achieved by nearly two lengths, but to us he looked to be doing it on heart rather than absolute ability as he had his previous two winning runs.

He didn't seem to have the petrol left some might think. He is exceptionally good, but winter racing is tough and it takes a lot out of horses. Winning three straight means they've expended a lot of energy.

In his favour this time is that he's had a month between runs to freshen, which will probably be enough to offset any tiredness he might or might not have been feeling last start.

Just in case though have an each-way saver on Mr Rosina (No4) on a one-over-two ratio. The win odds will be good because of The Brown Bomber.

The Wellington Hurdles (race 4) is a confusing race because of the conditions.

Solid Steal (No7) has a massive reputation despite the fact he's won only two hurdle races and will be well backed here to beat the likes of Spirit Of Alaton and High Season, both of whom might find the very heavy track against them.

The best each-way bet though could be Big Brownie (No5), who looks to be the emerging hurdler. There was a lot to like about his Ellerslie win two starts back.

The Wellington Steeplechase (race 6) is always the winter highlight at Trentham. The Hawkes Bay Steeplechase produced a good finish between Yourtheman (No2, R6) and Climbing High (No1) and this race could come up with an even more exciting climax.

The race will be won in the final 400m - Climbing High won't like the heavy course proper for the final stages as much as Yourtheman and will need to be clear of the other horse starting the final sprint. Logan James (No3) will be there trying to pester both. Great race.

Cottonwood Sky (No3, R8) looked good leaving maidens on a heavy track at Pukekohe three starts back. He didn't look as comfortable on a better surface on the turning Te Awamutu track last week, but still made good ground late for fourth. Back on a big, roomy circuit he looks like being competitive today.

Race 10 at Trentham is such a great field you'll need a big spread for the final leg of Pick6 and the quaddie. Don't leave out Conchord (No7).