Our King Sway
Trish Dunell
Tauranga has been a happy hunting ground for both Matamata trainer Glenn Old and his Orora Kiwi Packaging-LRK Trays Kiwifruit Cup contender Our King Sway.
Old's most important win came on the track when Our Famous Eve beat Viadana to triumph in the Gr.2 Japan-New Zealand International Trophy in 2013.
He has enjoyed several wins at Tauranga since then, including two wins from as many starts at the venue with Shinko King gelding Our King Sway.
The grey gelding returns to the track on the back of a meritorious last-start second to Call Me Royal at Te Rapa.
"I was a little bit disappointed initially but when I looked at the replay he hit a flat spot when Cameron [Lammas, jockey] hooked him out," Old said.
"But I was happy with the way he finished it off once he got back beside horses. If he had held his position on the turn then made his run on straightening, I think he would have won.
"He's trained on nicely. It's a heavy 11, but as long as it's loose, he'll be fine. He just doesn't like that holding ground.
"He's two from two at Tauranga so we'll head back there and try our luck. As long as it's not a sticky track, then he's a good each way chance."
Should Our King Sway race up to Old's expectations on Saturday, he's likely to earn himself a shot at the Listed Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Rotorua on July 30.
Old will also saddle Eletist at Tauranga on Saturday, the winner of five of his 11 starts resuming in the Quadrant Pacific 1200.
"I'm really happy with him. He's had a long time off. He had both knees operated on to remove bone chips," Old said.
"He's a really decent horse. If he had sound legs, he'd be a Group horse." - NZ Racing Desk
Old's most important win came on the track when Our Famous Eve beat Viadana to triumph in the Gr.2 Japan-New Zealand International Trophy in 2013.
He has enjoyed several wins at Tauranga since then, including two wins from as many starts at the venue with Shinko King gelding Our King Sway.
The grey gelding returns to the track on the back of a meritorious last-start second to Call Me Royal at Te Rapa.
"I was a little bit disappointed initially but when I looked at the replay he hit a flat spot when Cameron [Lammas, jockey] hooked him out," Old said.
"But I was happy with the way he finished it off once he got back beside horses. If he had held his position on the turn then made his run on straightening, I think he would have won.
"He's trained on nicely. It's a heavy 11, but as long as it's loose, he'll be fine. He just doesn't like that holding ground.
"He's two from two at Tauranga so we'll head back there and try our luck. As long as it's not a sticky track, then he's a good each way chance."
Should Our King Sway race up to Old's expectations on Saturday, he's likely to earn himself a shot at the Listed Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Rotorua on July 30.
Old will also saddle Eletist at Tauranga on Saturday, the winner of five of his 11 starts resuming in the Quadrant Pacific 1200.
"I'm really happy with him. He's had a long time off. He had both knees operated on to remove bone chips," Old said.
"He's a really decent horse. If he had sound legs, he'd be a Group horse." - NZ Racing Desk
