Joey Jonz
Race Images Palmerston North
A tidy performance at the Ellerslie trials on Tuesday has handy winter galloper Joey Jonz primed for his tilt at Saturday's Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham however it is the weather that will dictate his travelling companion on the trip south.
The Rudy Liefting trained galloper scored comfortably over 1000 metres on Tuesday and will head into the Trentham feature in good fettle after being freshened following a lacklustre display over 2100 metres at his last start.
"He just hasn't coped with the big weights he's carried in his last two runs so we thought we'd drop him back and set him for Trentham where we can get an apprentice claim for him," advised Liefting's wife Megan when discussing the stable's prospects.
"Rebecca Scott rode him nicely in the trial and he ran home strongly so we were pleased by that and he is ready to run a good race."
The Liefting's will be keeping a watchful eye on the Wellington weather during the week as they decide which of their high quality jumpers in Just Got Home or Danza Lad will trek south to contest the Wellington Hurdles.
Just Got Home, who took out the Hawkes Bay Hurdle at his last start, will be suited by a better track whereas Danza Lad prefers a deeper surface as he continues a preparation aimed at the Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury 127th Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton next month.
"Just Got Home needs the sort of track we struck at Hastings last time as he just can't cope with the big weights on a really heavy track," explained Liefting.
"If it looks settled and the track isn't going to be bottomless then he will go down for the race but if it is wet all week then Danza Lad will go instead.
"He is far more suited to the really heavy stuff and will get into the race on the minimum which will also be a big assist. His main mission is the Grand National Hurdle at Christchurch so this would be a nice race for him on that path."
Danza Lad created a huge impression with an effortless victory at Te Aroha when making his hurdle debut and looks an exciting prospect for the remaining feature jumping events this season. – NZ Racing Desk
The Rudy Liefting trained galloper scored comfortably over 1000 metres on Tuesday and will head into the Trentham feature in good fettle after being freshened following a lacklustre display over 2100 metres at his last start.
"He just hasn't coped with the big weights he's carried in his last two runs so we thought we'd drop him back and set him for Trentham where we can get an apprentice claim for him," advised Liefting's wife Megan when discussing the stable's prospects.
"Rebecca Scott rode him nicely in the trial and he ran home strongly so we were pleased by that and he is ready to run a good race."
The Liefting's will be keeping a watchful eye on the Wellington weather during the week as they decide which of their high quality jumpers in Just Got Home or Danza Lad will trek south to contest the Wellington Hurdles.
Just Got Home, who took out the Hawkes Bay Hurdle at his last start, will be suited by a better track whereas Danza Lad prefers a deeper surface as he continues a preparation aimed at the Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury 127th Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton next month.
"Just Got Home needs the sort of track we struck at Hastings last time as he just can't cope with the big weights on a really heavy track," explained Liefting.
"If it looks settled and the track isn't going to be bottomless then he will go down for the race but if it is wet all week then Danza Lad will go instead.
"He is far more suited to the really heavy stuff and will get into the race on the minimum which will also be a big assist. His main mission is the Grand National Hurdle at Christchurch so this would be a nice race for him on that path."
Danza Lad created a huge impression with an effortless victory at Te Aroha when making his hurdle debut and looks an exciting prospect for the remaining feature jumping events this season. – NZ Racing Desk
